‘My athletic days are over’: Barty shoots down possible return, helps launch National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

Ash Barty may have helped unearth the next world number one after she launched the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival.

Ash Barty was the main attraction in Newcastle as the Australian Open winner helped launch the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. Picture; David Caird

Former world number one Ash Barty has again been forced to shoot down speculation she may return to the sport as she helped launch the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) in Newcastle.

Barty – a proud Ngarigo woman – was the star attraction on Thursday with more than 140 Indigenous kids from the Hunter region invited along to play some tennis and take part in cultural activities.

Ash Barty poses with kids during the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival launch in Newcastle. Picture; Matt King/Getty Images for Tennis Australia

The Newcastle opportunity was one of several regional lead-in events before the NITC takes place in Darwin from August 10-13.

Thursday’s event was an incredible moment for the kids who may never have played tennis before but will be inspired to stick at it after meeting the three-time grand slam champion who wants to be a role model for First Nations people.

“It’s incredible (to see so many First Nations youth trying tennis for the first time),” she said.

“This is what it’s all about, it’s about trying things for the first time, it’s all about participating, coming and trying tennis, learning new and different things, and bringing people together is a bonus.

“I’ve had different role models throughout my whole life, starting with my mum and my sisters, and then professionally it kind of adapted and evolved into Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Cathy Freeman as well.

“They’re both exceptional humans and great role models in a sense of what they did in their field on the track and on the court, but also their contributions after they retired.

“It’s something I’d love to emulate and I’d love to continue to contribute in different ways and to continue to evolve my role and to continue to give back to kids.”

Barty’s involvement could inspire a new generation of Indigenous tennis stars. Picture; Matt King/Getty Images for Tennis Australia

Tennis Australia’s First Nations lead Kyah Jones said the children would gain a lot from meeting Barty, with the NITC to also hold events in Cairns, Toowoomba, Perth and other regions in the coming weeks.

“We have over 100 participants here today. They’ll get to try tennis and also some cultural activities off court, so a combination which is a great opportunity for these young Aboriginal kids,” she said.

“It’s incredible to have that many kids here today. Some of them have never picked up a racquet, and some have played, but it’s a really great experience. With Ash here, it’s really exciting and everyone is pumped to be out on court.

“What an amazing role model Ash is to all Indigenous kids. She’s an incredible person – not only for tennis people – but for everyone across the world.”

Barty got to celebrate her Australian Open win with Evonne Goolagong Cawley, but a return to tennis is not part of her plans. Picture; Michael Klein

It’s been over a year since Barty won the Australian Open and then stunned the world with a retirement that caught everyone off guard, but she says she has no plans to return to the sport with other things on the horizon.

“I’ve said this time and time again, two cracks at tennis were more than enough,” she said.

“I’m absolutely fulfilled, happy and content. I do have different things and different dreams and different ways that I’d love to contribute to community sport. My athletic days are over.”