Julian Linden: Ash Barty’s pregnancy news bittersweet for fans

Fans of Ash Barty were thrilled to hear the tennis champ is expecting her first child … but could be forgiven for feeling some mixed emotions, writes Julian Linden.

For Australian tennis fans, the news that Ash Barty is expecting her first child will be oh so bittersweet.

Idolised by the entire nation, there’s not a mum or dad or son or daughter in the whole country who won’t be gaga on hearing that there’s a Barty bub on the way.

But Barty’s most loyal fans can be forgiven if they’re also feeling some mixed emotions, knowing she won’t be holding court at this year’s Australian Open.

Although she retired last year, her legion of fans has secretly been hoping she would return, but the pending arrival of her bundle of joy has put an end to that, at least for now.

That includes Australian Open organisers, who have been left with a massive void they will struggle to fill because Australia’s love affair with Barty is eternal.

Ash Barty’s joyous news was welcomed. Picture: Nick Morley

Her historic, drought-breaking win at last year’s Open was more than just a sporting triumph. It united a nation that needed healing.

At a time when Australia needed some inspiration amid the anguish and pain caused by the global pandemic, Barty delivered with grace and humility.

Barty’s sweet Instagram post announcing her pregnancy on Friday.

She made Australians fall in love with tennis again and while her retirement shocked the nation, it’s only now that her absence is really hitting home.

Even before the first ball is hit, this year’s Australian Open already feels like a let-down.

It’s bad enough that Roger Federer, Serena Williams and new No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz won’t be in Melbourne this year.

But none of them will be missed as much as Barty.

As great as Federer and Williams were — and as good as the best current players in the women’s game are — they just don’t have the same box office appeal as our Ash.

No matter what happens, the Australian Open will never be the same again unless Barty comes back to play.

A nation is left hoping she will change her mind one day. And don’t rule it out because having a baby, of course, doesn’t mean she can’t return to elite sport.

There are plenty of mums (and dads) who have succeeded on the pro tennis circuit, including three legendary women who won grand slam singles titles after returning to the game post-motherhood.

Margaret Court, the most prolific grand slam winner in men’s or women's tennis history, won three majors – all in the same year (1973) – after becoming a mum.

Barty’s own hero Evonne Goolagong-Cawley also won a grand slam after returning to the game as a mother. She won Wimbledon in 1980 and remains the only mother to win at the All-England club.

More recently Kim Clijsters won three grand slams with her baby daughter sitting in the stands, including the 2011 Australian Open.

If Barty does make a comeback the Open will be ready because Tennis Australia has prepared for everything — even installing a creche in the player’s lounges for any new toddlers.