‘So good’: Ash Barty delights tennis fans with Wimbledon acts

Ash Barty has sent tennis fans into a frenzy with her first appearance in commentary at Wimbledon in her much anticipated return.

Ash Barty’s return to Wimbledon is off to a flying start, with tennis fans loving their first taste of the Aussie legend in the commentary box.

Barty and Nick Kyrgios are commentating at Wimbledon for the BBC, and the Aussies are set to delight viewers with their insights from the booth.

In her return to the All England Club, Barty appeared alongside former British player Johanna Konta on the opening day of action at the grand slam, and the reaction from viewers was overwhelmingly positive.

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Ex-England cricket captain and commentator Isa Guha wrote on X: “How good is it to have Nick Kyrgios and Ash Barty on the coverage.”

One fan commented: “Ash Barty is a great addition to the BBC commentary team…”

A second said: “GREAT chat on #Wimbledon with Ash Barty and Johanna Konta about mothers continuing to play tennis after having kids. And smashing it! LOVE IT.”

“You just know that Ash Barty is going to be marvellous on commentary,” a third said.

“More J Konta and Ash Barty on commentary please, so so good, engaging, and insightful,” one delighted fan added.

Another said: “Hearing Ash Barty commentating heals my soul.”

Ash Barty (centre) is making her tennis commentary debut at Wimbledon. Photo: X.

Barty gave little away to the media during her career and was very process driven, so fans are excited to hear her get deep into the weeds of tennis analysis over the next fortnight.

The three-time grand slam champion retired in March 2022 at the age of 25. She became the first local player in 44 years to win the Australian Open and joined the exclusive club of players to win slams on hard court, grass and clay.

Barty gave birth to her first child, a baby boy named Hayden, in July 2023.

There were wholesome scenes at Wimbledon on the eve of this year’s tournament as Barty returned to the scene of her 2021 triumph with husband Garry Kissick by her side and Hayden in her arms.

Barty will return to the tennis court to play invitational doubles with her former doubles partner and good friend Casey Dellacqua.

“It’s bizarre to be back, but I’m very excited. It’s a very special event,” Barty told Nine’s Today.

“The tournament reached out and I of course accepted (the invitation). I was like ‘Of course, absolutely. I’ll be here’.

“It is the best place to play tennis in the world.

“(The invitational match) is exciting, it gets so many of the good ex-players back together to go out and enjoy the grass.

“I did request if I could play with Casey and get the old band back together. It’s going to be nice to get back out there with her and strike a few again.”

Ash Barty won at Wimbledon in 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Don’t call it a comeback though. Barty has been reluctant to pick up a racquet competitively and has repeatedly said that despite retiring at such a young age, she had no intention of a full-time return.

“Absolutely not. This is the only comeback and it’s an exhibition (match),” she said.

“I’m here to have a good time with my best mate.”

In 2021, Barty ended Australia’s 41-year women’s drought at Wimbledon, becoming the first Aussie female 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.

Ash Barty, her husband Garry Kissick and their son Hayden at Wimbledon. Picture Instagram

This is where I won Wimbledon, kiddo. Picture: Instagram

Since her retirement, Australia’s female presence at the grand slams has been minimal.

Meanwhile, Kyrgios is expected to appear alongside the likes of John McEnroe and Tim Henman for the BBC as he continues his comeback from injury.

Kyrgios urged Andy Murray to listen to his body as the British legend looks to play through the pain in both singles and doubles barely a week after undergoing back surgery.

“Andy Murray is a legend of this sport,” Kyrgios said.

“I completely understand him trying to get out here and in front of his fans one last time. I don’t think I’ve played through something as severe as that.

“I don’t want him to do anything permanent to affect his life after tennis. If he’s feeling good enough to play some dubs (doubles) and give it one last push, I support it.

“But the way he’s grimacing right now, I’d say just wrap it up, get the legs up and enjoy it.”

Australia’s Daria Saville, Jordan Thompson and Aleksandar Vukic won their first round matches at Wimbledon.

Alex de Minaur begins his campaign against fellow Aussie James Duckworth on Tuesday night (AEST).

Originally published as ‘So good’: Ash Barty delights tennis fans with Wimbledon acts