Ash Barty sends fans wild with comeback hint in cryptic Instagram post

Australian superstar Ash Barty has sent the tennis world into meltdown with a hint at the possibility of a comeback to the sport.

Former world No. 1 Ash Barty has sent the tennis world into meltdown with a cryptic Instagram post hinting at the possibility of her return to the sport.

Wearing a cap with the Wimbledon logo on it (winning Wimbledon, as Barty did in 2021, brings with it membership of the All-England Club), Barty gently hit balls fed to her by some kids in the video posted to Instagram.

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It was alongside a photo of two-month-old son Hayden, cuddling up with a mini tennis racquet.

The post was captioned: “Back to red ball.

“Coaches seemed happy enough. Spectator just enjoyed a snooze in the shade.”

It sent the tennis world wild, with fans clamouring for Barty to return to the court in a competitive capacity.

“Come out of retirement please,” was one reply.

“We need you back on tour,” wrote another.

Many, many others used the same three words in their reply: “Please come back.”

The post that sent fans wild. Picture Instagram

It was the reported comment of another former professional, however, that had tennis fans talking.

Former doubles great Pat Shriver - who once incorrectly predicted the end of Barty’s reign as world No. 1 - questioned the timing of Barty’s post according to website tennis.com.

“It’s interesting that she chose to post the video,” Shriver is quoted.

“It’s kind of like, does that send a message, now that all these peers who were playing the tour at the same time as her are coming back?”

Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina are among the players to return to the tour of late after having children.

Barty introduced two-month-old son Hayden to the court in her post.

The fans want Ash back on tour. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE/Tertius Pickard

It also saw former friends and foes alike fawning over young Hayden.

Former Brisbane Heat teammate Jess Jonassen wrote: “That little racquet.”

Fellow tennis player and former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki wrote: “So cute!️”

Barty shocked the world when she retired in March 2022 at the top of the sport, becoming only the second player in history to retire while holding the No. 1 ranking, and since then, became mother to Hayden.

Since her exit from the sport, rumours have constantly swirled around the possibility of a return.

Barty has taken extended breaks from the sport before, having been on hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It would also be consistent with Justine Henin, who is the only other woman to have retired while the top-ranked player in the world – Henin made a brief return a year after retiring from the sport.