Retired tennis ace Ash Barty reveals heartwarming new project following birth of her son

Retired tennis ace, Ash Barty, has revealed her latest project and this time it combines her new role as mother to four-month-old Hayden and her love for storytelling.

The grand slam winner shocked the world when she retired from tennis, age 25, in March 2022 soon after winning the Australian Open.

But the former tennis world number one has been keeping herself busy with various projects and initiatives as well as the much-anticipated arrival of her son, Hayden, earlier this year.

Just months into motherhood, she has now teamed up with writer Jasmin McGaughey, illustrator Jade Goodwin and publishing house HarperCollins to bring to the world her latest book, My Dream For You.

The picture book portrays a mother’s dream to spend time and create memories with her new baby.

HarperCollins describes the book as, “A heart-warming aspirational picture book for new mums and babies.”

This is not Barty’s first foray into the world of publishing but it is the first one since Hayden’s birth.

About her new project she said, “I’m so excited for the release of this beautiful picture book,

“It’s a celebration of the possibilities that await new babies, a testament to the hope that every parent holds, and a reminder that our dreams can shape a brighter future for our children,

“I hope new parents and their little ones love reading it as much as our family does,” she added.

Even though the new book currently appears on Harper Collins’ website, it will only be available for sale in March 2024.

Barty’s other storytelling endeavours include her Little Ash series where she sold more than 100,000 copies.

 

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She has also written a memoir, My Dream Time, where she opens up about her younger years and her career.

In the book the former Aussie of the Year speaks candidly about her successes, motivations and her controversial decision to step away from tennis when she was performing at her peak.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast at the time she said, “I didn’t want to sugar-coat it or lie about anything. I was just telling my story, my journey and the tears that came with it were therapeutic,

“But also at times, there was probably an understanding of how much single moments meant to me, and how much single moments became really pivotal moments.

“At those times, I didn’t know. But reflecting on it, I realised how big a moments they were.”

Since hanging up her racket, Barty has genuinely been enjoying her post-tennis life and occasionally set tongues wagging on whether or not she will return to the tennis scene.

Speculation reached fever pitch levels when she took centre stage alongside fellow tennis star Pat Rafter on Friday, September 15 to announce the highly anticipated return of the Brisbane International for 2024.

The Brisbane International, last held in its full format in 2019, will kick off once again during week one of the “Australian Summer of Tennis”.

The now 27-year-old quickly shot down questions about a possible return to competitive tennis.

“I don’t have the time – I don’t have the time to train, I don’t have the time to prepare, and I have so many great memories out on this court, and now I just get to create new memories,” she said.

“I’m certainly not coming out of retirement. Pat may be more likely than me.

“I’m not coming back,” she added.