Excitement among fans was already high following news of tennis legend Ash Barty’s return to Wimbledon. Now, the 28-year-old has done one better after sharing an “adorable” photo of her son Hayden as the family celebrates his first birthday.
Barty took to Instagram to celebrate her son’s special day, sharing a photo of herself with her husband, Gary Kissick, and young Hayden, as they prepared to enjoy a birthday cake shaped like a cartoon echidna.
“Cake for breakfast,” Barty wrote alongside the image.
Fans were elated at the latest glimpse of baby Hayden, many taking to social media to wish the little one a happy birthday.
“He’s so adorable! A mini Ash!” one fan wrote.
“Happy birthday Hayden! Your parents look so proud and the memories of this day will remain with them forever.”
“Awww! How adorable! Happy 1st birthday Hayden,” commented another.
“He is a happy little man ! Looking forward in seeing you at Wimbledon.”
“Happy birthday Hayden! Well done mum and dad for surviving the first year x.”
Barty welcomed her first child with her husband in July 2023, taking to Instagram to announce the exciting news with a heartwarming picture of the little bundle of joy.
“Our beautiful boy. Welcome to the world, Hayden!” she wrote at the time.
At the time, her announcement set off a wave of celebration with messages of congratulations and well-wishes pouring in from fans across the country.
Since welcoming her son into the world, Barty has regularly shared her favourite moments as a mother. Recently she discussed the joy of witnessing Hayden’s growing awareness of his surroundings.
“When he wakes up from a sleep or a nap, the smile as soon as he wakes up — and starting to grab and want to be held, that’s incredible, that’s the best thing ever,” she previously told Sunrise.
“I love it when he sleeps because sometimes I can get a few things done. But when he wakes up, that smile is magic.”
Acknowledging the challenges of motherhood, especially when Hayden doesn’t sleep, Barty stated, “(Motherhood is) challenging, very challenging, but it’s incredible. It’s everything that I’ve ever wanted to do.”
“I think the challenges that you have each and every day are different but the rewards and the fun so outweigh it,” she shared.
“It’s so much better than anything else I’ve ever done.”