Key detail reveals why Ash Barty is making her return at Wimbledon
Ash Barty’s blockbuster return to the courts of Wimbledon is taking place because of one key detail which was revealed on Friday.
Ash Barty’s stunning return to the grass courts of Wimbledon is set to come alongside a close friend and her former doubles partner.
The news of Barty’s return caused a stir among tennis fans on Thursday, with many ecstatic about the prospect of seeing the former world number one back on the court.
Get on board Kayo and watch every game of every round of the NRL + AFL Seasons live and ad break free during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
It will be the first time the three-time grand slam champion takes to the courts since announcing her shock retirement in March 2022 and her first time back at Wimbledon since her triumph in 2021.
But now a key detail which goes a long way to explaining the 28-year-old’s return has been announced.
Barty is in fact set to team up with Casey Dellacqua for the legends invitational doubles event.
The Aussie duo made three grand slam finals together which included the final at Wimbledon back in 2013.
“I can announce that the band’s back together, ABCD,” Dellacqua said on AO Show Weekly, making reference to their initials.
“This is why I love tennis, because it doesn’t matter at what level, I get an opportunity to play with my best mate who, yes, is an extremely good player and has won the championships before.
“We’re just gonna have a great time and enjoy just being back together as friends on a tennis court, which we have loved to do our whole life … I’m actually really excited about it.
“We’re now in a different stage of our life. We’ve both got kids, we chat about different things, but hey, the tennis doesn’t change.
“The tennis is always there. And that’s what kind of is the glue that brought us together. So we’re really lucky.”
Dellacqua played with Alicia Molik during the 2022 invitational event.
Barty, who since her retirement has got married and become a mother, will play in the exhibition match on Tuesday, July 9 (UK time). The event will include women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
The legends tournament is played in a round-robin format featuring eight pairs spread across two groups, with the two top-placed teams progressing to the final.
Each pair will share in a guaranteed £24,000 ($A45,800) pay day with runners-up receiving an extra £4000 ($A7600), while the champions will receive a total of £35,000 ($A64,800).
Barty will also be a commentator at this year’s Wimbledon.
Wimbledon officials made the announcement on social media, declaring they were “delighted” to have the 28-year-old back.
“Reunited with the Wimbledon grass,” Wimbledon announced.
“Delighted to have our 2021 singles champion Ash Barty returning for this year’s Invitational Doubles.”
In 2021, Barty ended Australia’s 41-year drought at Wimbledon, becoming the first player since her idol, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, to lift the singles trophy.
Barty had previously won the French Open in 2019 – the first Australian woman in 46 years to do so – before claiming the Australian Open in 2022 and announcing her retirement two months later as the reigning world No.1.
Since her retirement, Australian female presence at the grand slams has been minimal.
Even in London, the draw automatically includes the top 108-ranked female players, which means only Daria Saville and Arina Rodionova will make the cut-off.
Ajla Tomljanovic, who has won her way through to the quarter-finals at the grass court event in Birmingham, should be able to enter the tournament using a protected ranking, with a host of others set to enter qualifying.
This year’s Wimbledon winners will earn a massive $5.1m, with the runner-up to receive $2.6m.
- with NCA Newswire
Kyrgios drops bombshell amid return reveal
Nick Kyrgios’ return to the court is getting closer by the day but the Aussie has also cryptically teased an even bigger announcement.
Stunning twist in doping case for Sinner
World number one Jannik Sinner has revealed he is “very disappointed” over the World Anti-Doping Agency’s latest move in his steroid case.
WADA appeals World No.1’s doping decision, pursues ban
Jannik Sinner is “very disappointed” but confident after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision to clear him in his steroid case, seeking a ban of up to two years.