Ash Barty lands Wimbledon job she said she’d ‘never’ want

Aussie tennis legend Ash Barty is returning to Wimbledon in 2024 in a role that not even the three-time grand slam winner saw coming.

Ash back at Wimbledon. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

Aussie legend Ash Barty is set for a return to Wimbledon this year, but not in the way the tennis world had hoped for.

Barty shocked the world in 2022 when, at the age of 25 and the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, she retired from competitive tennis.

At the time, minus 20 weeks where the rankings were frozen due to Covid, Barty had held the world No. 1 ranking for 116 weeks.

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Since then, the tennis world has been clamouring for a return for the superstar to the court, something Barty has refused every time of asking.

Since her retirement, Barty married her long-term partner Garry Kissick and the pair welcomed baby Hayden in July 2023.

Barty has also kept busy, writing books, playing certain golf tournaments around the world and seemingly enjoying the spoils of her hard work at the top of the tennis world.

But Barty has seemingly backflipped on her decision to enter the commentary box, having been announced as part of the BBC’s team for Wimbledon.

During the Summer of Sport event in London, BBC’s content boss Charlotte Moore revealed Barty would be joining Nick Kyrgios and former Aussie Wimbledon champ Pat Cash for the tournament.

“A host of Wimbledon champions will be joining the studio,” Moore said.

“This will include John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Pat Cash, alongside Tim Henman, Tracey Austin, Annabel Croft and Johanna Konta.

“Joining the line-up this year will be 2021 champion Ashleigh Barty and, if he’s not playing, 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, so anything could happen there.”

Ash Barty after winning Wimbledon. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Back in November 2022, when promoting her memoir My Dream Time, Barty was asked if she’d ever consider a move into the commentary box.

Her reply: “No, never.”

If her attitude has softened to commentary, could they soften towards a comeback?

As yet, Barty has not changed her stance in regards to a return to the court.

While Barty has been back around the court, particularly at the Australian Open, she has time and time again denied a comeback is on the cards.

“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,” she said late last year.

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

She has also become a semi-regular at golfing events, including the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship in late February, where she slammed the door on a tennis return and a move to golf.

“And the answer is no to both,” she said at the time.

“I love playing as a hobby and it’s obviously lovely to get outside for 18, go for a walk, and enjoy it.”

Ash reading one of her books to Hayden.

She’ll join Kyrgios in the commentary booth. Pic: Michael Klein

But while it’s good news that Barty will continue around the sport, it’s bittersweet news Kyrgios will be joining her.

The Aussie star and 2022 Wimbledon finalist has been sidelined with injury for the best part of 18 months, playing only one competitive match in that time.

While there had been some hope of a return to the court for the grass court season, the news appears to mean Kyrgios is destined for even more time on the sidelines.

Kyrgios is a proven box-office draw in the tennis world but has been trying his hand at different mediums during his injury lay off.

The Aussie has started a podcast and interview series under Naomi Osaka’s Hana Kuma brand, interviewing the likes of Novak Djokovic, Mike Tyson, The Office actor Rainn Wilson and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey to name a few.

He also stepped into the commentary box for ESPN and Eurosport during the Australian Open, impressing plenty of fans.

Originally published as Ash Barty lands Wimbledon job she said she’d ‘never’ want