Ash Barty reveals what she misses most about stepping on the tennis court

Since stepping away from competitive tennis in 2022 Ash Barty has kept herself busy with one exciting endeavour after another.

Despite her busy schedule the 27-year-old still has time to reflect on her stellar tennis career and what she misses most about her time on the court.

In a recent interview with The Guardian Barty opened up about what element of her whirlwind sporting career she still yearns for to this day.

“Probably what I miss the most is the thrill of the fight with Tyzz (her coach), sitting down together and working out a way to completely unravel our opponent,” she told the publication.

“That’s what I loved the most, the tactical side of the game and being able to make your opponent feel very uncomfortable and do that with my skills and my weapons. I do miss spending time with … all of my team.

“But our relationship hasn’t changed. The contact is just not as frequent and not as high octane, I will say. But the team footy tipping account is still alive and well, so the banter is still flying.”

While Barty is nostalgic for the “thrill of the fight”, any hope that she will make a return to the court was quickly dashed during a recent interview with Sunrise.

“No … plain and simple … I’m very excited to spend some time with our family,” Barty said.

“Like I said, I’ve had such an amazing career. I have absolutely no regrets … Happy to move onto different things.”

Aussie tennis legend Ash Barty sat down with @MarkBeretta for her final TV interview before the arrival of her first child later this year.
???? WATCH THE FULL CHAT: https://t.co/U7t7NKKxhr pic.twitter.com/WIlXejr6yE

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 16, 2023

During the same interview, Barty delighted the public with a long-awaited update on her pregnancy, revealing that she is “feeling good” in the lead-up to the big day.

Barty initially announced via social media that she was expecting a child with her husband Garry Kissick on Friday, January 6, sharing a photo of a pair of baby shoes placed next to one of her dogs.

“2023 set to be the best year yet. We are so excited for our new adventure. Origi already the protective big sister,” she wrote.

 

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A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)

In addition to her exciting pregnancy news, Barty has kept herself busy since hanging up her racquet, Barty claimed victory in a golf tournament at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club earlier in the year and in July married long-time beau Garry Kissick, shocking fans with a photo of the secret ceremony.

Showing no signs of slowing down, Barty later revealed that she was making her mark in the corporate world with her new role with the Australian telecom giant, Optus, as their new “Chief of Inspiration”.

Most recently, Barty took on an ambassador role for Australian Made Week 2023 (15-21 May) in which she helped promote the benefits of seeking out and purchasing products that bear the Australian Made logo.