By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, January 6, 2023
"We are so excited for our new adventure," former world No. 1 Ash Barty said in announcing she's pregnant and expecting her first child.
Photo credit: Getty
Ash Barty starts the New Year excited for her new role: Motherhood.
Former world No. 1 Barty announced she's pregnant and expecting her first child with husband Gary Kissick.
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Dog lover Barty employed the family's dog, Origi, to make the pregnancy announced.
In an Instagram post, Origi sits next to a pair of baby sneakers and eyes the camera.
"2023 set to be the best year yet. We are so excited for our new adventure 👶🏼💫" Barty posted along with a baby emoji. "Origi already the protective big sister."
Last January, Barty battled back from a 1-5 second-set lead defeating Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6(2) in the Australian Open final becoming the first Aussie—man or woman—to capture the AO singles championship since Chris O’Neil in 1978.
In a move that shocked the sports world, Barty walked away from tennis on top after capturing the 2022 Australian Open. Barty joined Justine Henin as only the second woman in WTA history to retire as world No. 1.
In a farewell press conference, Barty said she closed the curtain on her brilliant career for a simple reason: She’s spent. After pouring all of her energy and time into tennis, Barty said the tank was empty.
“I’d given absolutely everything that I could to the sport, and I knew that it wouldn’t be fair to my team or the people that have invested so much time and energy into my life to not be 100 per cent committed to them,” Barty said in her farewell presser. “I’m excited for my next chapter as Ash Barty, the person and not the athlete.”
On July 23rd, Barty wed longtime partner Kissick in a quiet Queensland ceremony.
Soon, the couple will be parents.