Ash Barty has always been the master of surprise — shocking the tennis world by retiring at just 25, bowing out as World No. 1, and walking straight into a life many didn’t see coming. But while the headlines screamed “retirement,” Ash was quietly preparing for a new, equally rewarding championship: motherhood.
Yes, the Aussie icon swapped her rackets for rattles and revealed in mid-2023 that she and her longtime partner-turned-husband Garry Kissick had welcomed their baby boy, Hayden. Fans who’d mourned her tennis departure suddenly had something new to celebrate — Barty wasn’t just winning Grand Slams anymore, she was winning at life, full stop.
True to form, Ash kept it low-key. No splashy media rollouts, no cover shoots — just a simple photo of baby Hayden’s tiny feet posted to Instagram, and the internet collectively lost its mind. “From centre court to centre of our world,” one fan commented. Another added, “Forget Wimbledon — this is the cutest win of her career.”
Behind the scenes, Ash and Garry have built a remarkably grounded life. The two met back in 2016 at a golf course, and their love story has been anything but flashy. In a world full of overexposed relationships, the Barty-Kissick pairing feels like a breath of fresh Queensland air. Garry, a PGA trainee with a cheeky smile and a quiet presence, has been Ash’s anchor through every twist — from tennis triumphs to post-retirement bliss.
But don’t think motherhood has slowed Ash down. She’s already hinted at returning to golf, dabbled in commentary gigs, and continues to use her platform to advocate for Indigenous representation and youth empowerment. Still, it’s clear that Hayden is now her number one priority — and the glow she carries these days says it all.
While tennis fans still long to see her finesse and power grace the courts again, no one is holding their breath. Barty’s proven she’s not just a tennis champion — she’s a life champion. She walked away from the sport on her own terms, entered a new chapter with grace, and found a different kind of glory off the court.
Ash Barty isn’t chasing trophies anymore — she’s raising one. And honestly? She might just be serving the greatest ace of her life.
