Ash Barty on sun safety, motherhood and her top picks for the AO finals

Checking in with one of the sport's best

In a Body+Soul exclusive, Aussie tennis icon, three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 Ash Barty gives us a glimpse into her life as a soon-to-be mother of two, as well as sharing her top tips for sun safety this summer, and who she’s keeping a close eye on as we head into the final week of the 2025 Australian Open. 

At just 28 years old, there’s not much Ash Barty hasn't achieved. Since her shock retirement from competitive tennis in 2022, the former world No. 1 has ticked off a laundry list of both personal and professional achievements.

To kick off Barty’s post-tennis life, she married her long-term partner Garry Kissick just a few months after hanging up her racket, and only six months after becoming the first Aussie to win an Australian Open title in 44 years. 

Barty’s final Grand Slam win – one of three under her belt – further cemented her status as an Australian icon; one revered across the nation and beyond. Her Australian Open victory against American Danielle Collins was not the first time she made sporting history either, having become the first Aussie in 46 years to win the French Open in 2019, and the first to win Wimbledon in 2021 since Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s triumph in 1980. 

Following her departure from the sport, however, Barty has gone from strength to strength in alternative career pathways. She established herself as a published author, penning the bestselling Little Ash and Tennis Camp Diaries children’s book series, in addition to launching the Ash Barty Foundation early last year – one that supports ambitious children through sport and education initiatives.

“I’ve loved the work we’ve done with young Australians so far,” she tells Body+Soul. “My foundation will be a continued focus for me in 2025, providing support to help boys and girls discover their dreams.”

Now in the middle of another hot Australian summer, Barty has also turned to advocating for and educating kids on sun safety – particularly with her experience spending countless hours under the harsh Aussie UV rays from a young age. She even recently partnered with Banana Boat to launch a school program that aims to educate students on how to enjoy the sun safely. 

It comes at a time when fellow sun-smart advocates are calling for further education around the dangers of skin cancer and sun exposure, particularly with the recent return of sun tanning being perpetuated as a trend on social media. 

“As a Queenslander and a tennis player, I was in the sun from a young age and year round,” Barty notes. “I learnt the importance of being sun safe from mum and dad early on and this was always front of mind for me when I travelled the world in a sport that followed the sun.”

She has ensured to pass this education on to her son, 18-month-old Hayden, too.

“His favourite thing to do is play outside but he already knows he needs his hat and sunscreen on before play,” Barty says. “This is a routine we have tried to build early with him.”

Barty's young son is already following in his mother's active footsteps. Image: Instagram/@ashbarty

The former tennis pro has also dabbled in other sporting ventures in the years following her retirement, including returning to Wimbledon last year to join the BBC commentators studio. She even reappeared on court at the All England Club with fellow Aussie tennis alum Casey Delacqua, with the pair making it to the final of the women’s invitational legends doubles final.

But Barty’s favourite part of her Wimbledon homecoming was being able to travel with her husband and son – the young family’s “first big trip” together.

“[Last year] was a busy but happy year for our family,” she says. “Being mum to Hayden was my highlight, spending time together and watching him grow and learn, there is nothing more special. Wimbledon is my favourite place so being able to go there as a family was special.”

It might even be the last time travelling as a family of three after the couple announced via Instagram on Christmas Day that they were expecting a second child this year. It’s yet another pivot in Barty’s awe-inspiring life trajectory, but one she’s welcoming with open arms. 

Barty is busy enjoying the inevitable challenges that comes with motherhood. Image: Instagram/@ashbarty

“I love being a mum,” she tells us. “I feel very lucky to have a beautiful boy and another baby on the way. It’s definitely challenging and I learn more about myself and Hayden every day, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

While three years ago Barty may have counted her Grand Slam trophies and sensational international sporting career as the highlights of her life, she says now, it’s the small moments she appreciates most – whether it’s hearing the sound of her son’s laughter or being there for his first milestones, and even cleaning up the inevitable mess that comes with motherhood. 

As we now head into the final week of the 2025 Australian Open, the tournament’s former women’s singles champion says that she’s rooting for Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina to take the women’s title. As for the men’s draw, she originally had Russian player Daiil Medvedev picked for the title prior to his loss against 19-year-old American rising star Learner Tien in the second round. Now, Barty has her sights set on the No. 3 seed – Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who goes up against Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final. 

Originally published as Ash Barty on sun safety, motherhood and her top picks for the AO finals