Barty explains why she won’t make comeback at Brisbane International

On hand to announce the return of the Brisbane International, alongside fellow former world No.1 Pat Rafter, tennis champion Ash Barty was emphatic about one thing: there would be no comeback for her at her hometown tournament.

Ash Barty in action at the Brisbane International.Credit: Getty Images

“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,” Barty said.

“I’m certainly not coming out of retirement. Pat may be more likely than me.”

The Brisbane International returns from December 31 for the first time since the COVID pandemic, attracting some of the world’s finest talents with a record prize pool of $3.1 million.

While previously the women’s draw featured 32 competitors, the 2023-24 instalment will increase to 48. The men’s contest remains with 32 players.

The tournament will give Brisbane tennis pundits the chance to witness the next crop of Australian talents take to centre stage, with the sport in need of a new hometown hero.

Since Barty’s shock retirement while world No.1, tennis’ fiercest women have fought for the coveted ranking, with US Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka taking the spot from Iga Swiatek.

But no Australian player is ranked in the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 100, with the Gold Coast’s Kim Birrell the nation’s highest-ranked female player at 103.

Barty, who has previously outlined plans to help foster the next generation of stars, believes the likes of Birrell and Olivia Gadecki would begin to come into their own on the world circuit in the coming years.

She said the battle to attain the sport’s top ranking should be an incentive for prospective talents to produce their best tennis from the Brisbane International onwards.

Kim Birrell is Australia’s highest-ranked women’s tennis player.Credit: AP

“It’s depth, you have to play at your top level, you have to be consistent across a 52-week calendar to keep your ranking up with the top of the world,” Barty said.

“I think it’s exciting for the women’s game, it creates hunger, passion and drive for girls wanting to be the best and knowing there’s an opportunity to take that top spot.

“There’s obviously not as many girls in the top 100 as we would like, but there’s plenty coming through that are learning their craft, developing.

“It takes time to understand how you think you can fit in, how you think you can grow into your play. I’m excited for the next five or 10 years to see where they can get to.

“The game’s adapted, it’s grown, you can see there’s more of a blend in the top 10 I believe in women who are able to use different styles of play.

“Come Brisbane International time, there’s going to be a mix of different styles that creates some really exciting match-ups.”

The showcase, to take place at the Queensland Tennis Centre and finish on January 7, is expected to inject $10 million into the state’s visitor economy, according to Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

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