Ash Barty Plays Exhibition Doubles at Wimbledon but Content in Retirement
Ash Barty, a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, made an appearance on Centre Court at Wimbledon for an exhibition doubles match. This event occurred just over two years after her retirement at the age of 25. Despite the speculation that she may be making a comeback, Barty firmly stated that she plans to stay retired. SSP reported.
During a press interaction after the match, Barty playfully requested a thesaurus to find an alternative word for "no," humorously expressing her determination to remain retired. Having given birth to a baby boy a year ago and currently engaged in BBC commentary for Wimbledon, Barty has found fulfillment outside of her professional tennis career.
Delving into her role as a commentator, Barty expressed her enjoyment of providing analysis and opinions from the commentary box. Positioned at both Centre Court and Court 1, she appreciates the perspective that this role offers, enabling her to immerse herself in the matches while sharing her insights with viewers.
Reflecting on the possibility of competing against Iga Swiatek for the No. 1 ranking, Barty confessed that she has no regrets or thoughts of what could have been. Instead, she expressed admiration for Swiatek's incredible dominance in recent years, acknowledging the young player's composure and commendable winning streaks.
In the exhibition doubles match, Barty teamed up with Casey Dellacqua to emerge victorious against Andrea Petkovic and Magdalena Rybarikova. Barty's enthusiasm for tennis remains evident as she cherishes the occasional opportunity to participate in the sport she loves, all while maintaining a balance with her other endeavors.
For now, Ash Barty finds contentment outside of the competitive tennis scene, enjoying her involvement in smaller doses and savoring the flexibility to select her engagements.