Aussie tennis great’s big Ash Barty prediction

Tennis champion Ash Barty has a massive life twist ahead of her, an Australian tennis great believes after spotting a surprising detail.

Aussie tennis great John Alexander predicts Australia will get a chance to see Ash Barty back in tennis.

The three-time Australian Open semi-finalist believes Barty will get the itch to return to her professional career — and believes she has it in her to return to the top of the sport.

Barty has repeatedly brushed off questions about a future comeback and looked very comfortable in her new life when she was spotted watching on at the Brisbane International this week with son Hayden sitting in her lap.

Alexander has told the ABC Tennis Podcast he believes Barty can do exactly what Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong Cawley did in returning to tennis after having children.

“It’s funny. These days it’s almost like you’ve got to sign a contract to say I’m going to retire and never play again,” Alexander said.

“I think you should be able to change your mind and maybe play the odd event still and if your form picks up have another go.

“I’m still hopeful Ash Barty is going to make another comeback. She’s having a sabbatical but two of your greatest women players — Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong — came back and played beautifully after having babies.

“It’s a different time now but she made that announcement for the sake of giving herself peace and quiet and relief from the press and the constant scrutiny, and it’s worked very well.

“Don’t be surprised to see her come back. The story of Naomi Osaka is the interesting one to see how she’s going to play coming back.”

Ash Barty and Pat Rafter pictured at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Tennyson Friday 15th September 2023 Picture David Clark

Ash Barty Instagram post having a hit at a local tennis court while her son has a nap. Picture Instagram.

Osaka had a mixed comeback at the Brisbane International this week, beaten by Karolina Pliskova in the second round.

Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina are among the tennis greats to have made comebacks on the WTA Tour recently.

Alexander is far from the first tennis figure to believe Barty’s return is inevitable.

She famously stepped away from the sport before switching to cricket — and then backflipping.

She went on to make a thunderous comeback, winning three grand slams and capturing the hearts of the nation.

American tennis great Pam Shriver said earlier this year Barty may have been sending a message about a comeback when she shared a photo of herself on a tennis court.

However, Chris Evert told tennis.com at the time she can’t see Barty following in their foot steps.

“She retired once before and that told me that the stress and pressure of, not just the competition, but also the travelling lifestyle was not always fun for her,” Evert said.

“She is a homebody, she’s married, she has a child. In my opinion, there is no way she wants to or will come back.”

The sight of the 27-year-old back at a tennis event in Brisbane caused a stir this week, but it was her son Hayden that stole the show.

Barty and husband Garry Kissick welcomed baby Hayden in July.

Ash Barty's son stole the show. Photo: Twitter, Brisbane International.

Retired tennis champion Ash Barty at the Brisbane International.

It was a rare public appearance for Hayden with the bundle of joy only spotted on Barty’s Instagram page on two occasions.

Fans immediately fell in love with the young lad.

The sight of seeing Barty so happy in her new life left fans with mixed emotions with the likelihood of her ever returning to the professional tour decreasing every day.

The three-time grand slam champion retired from professional tennis in March, 2022, in a decision that shocked the sporting world given she had just won the Australian Open.

Once she retired, Barty revealed she began to lack motivation after claiming victory at the All England Club, which was on the top of her career bucket list.

Barty won the 2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon and 2022 Australian Open to join an exclusive club of players to have won grand slams on all three surfaces.

Since hanging up her racquet, Barty has been busy trying her hand at all manner of things.

She contested an event on the ICONS Golf circuit, has published her tennis memoir and written a children’s book.

When asked about comeback plans recently, Barty replied: “I don’t have the time – I don’t have the time to train, I don’t have the time to prepare, and I have so many great memories out on this court, and now I just get to create new memories.

“I’m certainly not coming out of retirement.”