Wimbledon 2024: Ash Barty responds to comeback calls after doubles return

The Aussie tennis icon has responded to speculation of a return to the sport full time after taking Centre Court at Wimbledon.

Australian tennis icon Ash Barty has returned to the court at the All England Club, but a comeback to the pro circuit doesn’t seem imminent.

Barty made a return to the scene of her greatest sporting triumph - Wimbledon - when she took to Centre Court with great mate, Casey Dellacqua, in the Legends Event at the All England Club.

Delayed by rain, the pair finally walked back onto the hallowed grass to a handful of fans -- including some enthusiastic Aussie youngsters - who had waited around to see the three-time Grand Slam champ return.

Casey Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty at Wimbledon. Picture: Getty Images

The Aussie pair looked relaxed and happy on court. Picture: Getty Images

The pair took on Germany’s Andrea Petkovic and former Slovak star Magdalena Rybarikov, which they won in three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 10-7.

Barty appeared relaxed and smiled and waved to the sparse crowd.

Barty described the occasion as “pretty special”.

“Obviously this is the place that holds some of my most cherished memories,” she said.

“And (it’s) really nice to be back with my best mate on the court. It’s pretty special.

Ash Barty with Casey Dellacqua and Germany’s Andrea Petkovic and former Slovak star Magdalena Rybarikov.

“It was amazing ... a lovely surprise to be able to go out on Centre Court. I thought I’d played my last match out there.”

Barty also hosed down speculation she would return to the sport full time after stepping away in 2022.

“You guys are killing me. Anyone have a thesaurus for a word that I can use for ‘no’? No, mate. No, I’m not,” Barty said.

Welcome back to Centre Court, @ashbarty 👋

Our 2021 champion joins great friend Casey Dellacqua in the ladies' invitation doubles to face Rybarikova and Petkovic!#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/4lUM0EIIsK

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2024

She told media earlier this week: “No this is the comeback, this is the only comeback. “For an exhibition, for fun, for enjoyment, to entertain people who are at Wimbledon and to enjoy the whole event. They are there obviously to watch the best players in the world go about their business and see who the champion will be, but I am excited to play a very small part in it.”

Ashleigh Barty beamed as she returned to the scene of her greatest triumph. Picture: Getty Images

Casey Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty took centre court at Wimbledon. Picture: Getty Images

Barty and Dellacqua will play at least two more matches as part of the women’s doubles tournament, the former’s first return to tennis action since hanging up her racket, similar to Caroline Wozniacki’s participation in the event before announcing her retirement backflip.

Barty shocked fans when she retired in March 2022, just two months after her stirring Australian Open triumph at Rod Laver Arena over American Danielle Collins in straight sets.

In 2021, she took the Wimbledon crown in a three-set classic against former Czech number one Karolina Pliskova. Barty won her first Grand Slam title, the French Open, in 2019 against Marketa Vondrousova.

The 28-year-old Queenslander has also returned to Wimbledon as a commentator.

The mother of one said it was a “strange feeling” walking through Wimbledon’s gates.

“It wasn’t memories that came up -- the forehands or backhands or serves or the match point, it was the emotions that came with that moment,” she told 7NEWS this week.

Originally published as Wimbledon 2024: Ash Barty responds to comeback calls after doubles return