Sports

Ash Barty throws her support behind the Matildas as they chase World Cup glory

Jul 20, 2023

Ash Barty is lending her unwavering support to Sam Kerr and the Matildas as they embark on their World Cup journey. Source: Getty Images.

In an inspiring display of camaraderie and national pride, Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty has thrown her unwavering support behind the Matildas as they kick off their highly anticipated World Cup campaign.

Australia is carrying the hopes of the nation as they face off against Ireland at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, July 20, in what is expected to be a packed-out stadium.

Having enjoyed a stellar career as a major sporting figure herself, Barty is now lending her unwavering support to Sam Kerr and the Matildas as they embark on their World Cup journey.

“I’ve only met Sam once, in Tokyo at the Olympics, but have admired her for a long time,” Barty told AAP recently.

“Her drive and tenacity to be successful in every team she plays in is special.

“The way she has taken control of her own career, her sheer talent and what she has done to inspire Australian kids to play football is amazing.

“I wish Sam and the team the best of luck for the World Cup. I love watching the Matildas play and will be cheering loudly from home.”

Kerr herself had previously praised Barty with some kind words of her own back in 2021.

“When I look at people like Ash Barty I’m like ‘man, that girl’s sick’. She literally wins everything, she’s so humble. I’d probably put her at the top right now – only because I want to have a Barty party,” Kerr previously told AAP.

“That’s for other people to decide. I do everything I can to be in that conversation and win as many trophies and be talked about by people for years to come.

“I’m not going to say ‘I’m as good as Ash’, because I just can’t ever see myself doing that.

“But I’m really proud to be leading the way with all of those athletes. I saw Ash at the Olympics and our whole team was fan-girling over Ash.

“That’s such a cool thing to have now in women’s sport, that there’s all these different people that young girls and boys can look up to.”

In addition to her kind words for Kerr, Barty recently took to Instagram, alongside her husband Garry Kissick, to announce the birth of her first child with an adorable picture of the little bundle of joy, a “beautiful boy” named Hayden.

“Our beautiful boy. Welcome to the world, Hayden!” the new parents wrote.