Over a year since retiring from tennis, Ash Barty has given birth to a son.

The former World No. 1 announced the news Tuesday in an Instagram post.

“Our beautiful boy,” she wrote. “Welcome to the world, Hayden!”

Barty married Australian golfer Garry Kissick last July, and the three-time Grand Slam champion announced her pregnancy in January of this year. At the time, she touted 2023 as “the best year yet.”

The World No. 1 for 121 weeks, Barty announced her retirement last year after winning the Australian Open. She was the first Australian woman in 44 years to win her home major in singles, joining Chris O’Neil in 1978.

Ash Barty is enjoying her retirement.

The 26-year-old retired in early 2022 after winning the Australian Open in her home country. Speaking with the New York Times, the three-time Grand Slam champion said she’s been surprised by how “comfortable” she is after living such a structured life on the tennis circuit.

“I was a bit unsure how I would deal with that because I am a person who likes to be organized,” she said. “There was probably a little bit of fear in that, but overall, that hasn’t been an issue, a concern or a worry. What’s been most surprising in a good way is that I’ve slipped quite seamlessly into this life that’s just like everyone else, which is kind of always what I wanted.”

Barty had a big year in 2022 even after her surprise retirement. She got married and wrote a series of children’s books, and she also wrote an autobiography set to be released on Jan. 10 in the U.S.

While this isn’t the first time Barty has stepped away from the sport, this time feels final, as she accomplished what she set out to do.

“I achieved my dreams,” she said. “Everyone has different dreams and different ways of defining success. But for me, I knew that I gave everything I could, and I was fortunate to live out my ultimate childhood dream.

“It was time for me to explore what else was out there and not be, I suppose, greedy in a sense of keep playing tennis because that’s what I was expected to do, and then you blink and maybe the other things have passed you by.”

While she said last March that the door for a comeback was “closed but it’s not padlocked,” Barty is a little more resolute in her decision as 2023 begins.

“The more time I’ve had to sit and think and absorb this year, I think it is never in the sense of me competing professionally again,” she said. “But I’ll never not be involved in the sport. So I think that’s where I’ll always get my tennis fix, that taste of the sport that gave me so much.”

Ash Barty is taking her talents to the golf course after retiring from professional tennis in late March.

At the time, she said that she would “wait and see” when asked about the possibility of picking up golf professionally.

The former World No. 1 is included in Ernie Els’ Rest of the World team at the Icons Series event in Jersey City, New Jersey. The exhibition will take place on June 30 and July 1 at Liberty National Golf Club.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has reportedly lowered her golf handicap to four. Joining her will be Pep Guardiola and Harry Kane on the 10-hole team. They will play against Fred Couples’ U.S. team, which features Michael Phelps, Oscar De La Hoya and Ben Roethlisberger.

Barty recently won the ladies’ competition at her home club in Brookwater.

While Ash Barty recognizes that she has a ways to go before she can think about a professional golf career, she left the door open.

“We’ll wait and see,” she said when asked if there was any truth to the “whispers” about her wanting to pick up the sport professionally.

“I’ve got to try and learn how to hit the middle of the club face before I can think of trying to get on tour,” she demurred.

The world No. 1 announced her surprise retirement Wednesday, less than two months after winning the Australian Open.

Barty is no stranger to playing other sports. After stepping away from tennis in 2014, she took up cricket and played professionally in Australia for the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. She also won a golf championship at Queensland’s Brookwater Golf Club in 2020, which has spurred rumors over the possibility of her picking up the sport.

Her father, Rob Barty, furthered the speculation after revealing that she’s “too good” at golf. The elder Barty is a former state amateur golfer himself.

“She can beat me,” he told AAP. “She’s the best golfer in the house.

“She plays off a three handicap around Brookwater and plays a couple of times a year. I don’t know what she’s going to do to be honest, but I know she gets a lot of enjoyment out of golf so I think she’ll play [more]. But I don’t know what she’ll do [professionally].”

While she said she would “never say never” about returning to playing tennis professionally again, Barty reiterated Thursday that she gave “absolutely everything that I could” during her career.

“I wouldn’t change a thing and I certainly have no regrets,” she said.

After Ash Barty, the top-ranked women’s tennis player in the world, announced her surprise retirement Wednesday, she revealed that she would be removing her name from the WTA rankings in the next cycle. That will come after the Miami Open, which started Monday.

The 25-year-old has spent 114 consecutive weeks atop the world rankings, the fourth-longest streak in WTA history.

As a result of her removal, current No. 2 Iga Swiatek is set to take over the top spot. Swiatek rose to her current career-high position after winning last week at Indian Wells.

“It’s a new start for the tour, which is going to be really exciting for them. They’ve got exceptional players, great depth,” said Barty. “I know that if it is Iga, there is no better person. She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player. The way that she’s brought this fresh, fearless energy onto the court has been incredible.

“I loved testing myself against her. I loved playing her. I loved practicing with her and spending time with her team. She’s a brilliant person, and was one of the first to message me, which is really nice. I think she thoroughly deserves it. I hope that she can take it and still be her, do it her own way, and really chase what she’s after in her career and her dreams.”

Swiatek revealed that she “was crying for a long time” after she head about Barty’s retirement. The two faced off twice during Barty’s career, including at the Adelaide International semifinals, which Barty won 6-2, 6-4.

“There was lot of confusion in me, for sure,” Swiatek continued. “But also sadness because when I think of the player that is really complete in terms of physicality, mentality, tennis-wise, I always thought of Ash and I always looked up to her. I mean, I still do.

“It would be really nice also to be able to compete against her for the next few years and actually try to play better and better, to be able to beat her slice. We’re going to miss her, for sure.”

Swiatek is scheduled to compete in her first match since winning the BNP Paribas Open tomorrow during the Miami Open’s Round of 64. She’ll go up against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, who is currently ranked No. 42 in the world.

Despite the emotions stirred by Barty’s announcement, Swiatek revealed that she hasn’t thought much about the possibility of her new ranking. Instead, she’s focusing on taking it one tournament at a time.

“Honestly, when we really thought about the situation and when we read all the news, all the rules that may apply, we realized there’s no sense to actually think about that right now because we have such a short time to prepare for another tournament,” she said. “We’ve got to stay focused on our work.”

1

Ash Barty’s ranking upon her retirement. With her announcement Wednesday, she became the second player to retire while at the top of the WTA rankings, following Justine Henin, who retired in 2008 but returned two years later before retiring for good in 2011.

2

Months since Barty won the Australian Open. Before Barty’s win at Melbourne Park, no Australian player had won the tournament since 1978.

3

Major singles titles. In addition to the Australian Open title, she won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021.

9

Women who have won three of the four Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. Barty joined the company of Lindsay Davenport, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Justine Henin, Martina Hingis, Angelique Kerber, Hana Mandlikova, Monica Seles and Virginia Wade.

11

Consecutive wins to start the 2022 season. Barty won 11 matches in a row to start 2022 en route to titles in the Adelaide 500 and the Australian Open.

15

Singles titles. Barty won her first singles title in March 2017. Since then, she has won more than any other player. She also won 12 doubles titles.

21

Length, in months, of the sabbatical Barty took from tennis starting in 2014. During her break, she played cricket with the Brisbane Heat of the Women’s Big Bash League. She returned to tennis in 2016.

25

Barty’s age upon retirement. “I just know at the moment, in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” Barty said in a video posted to her Instagram account. “As a person this is what I want. I want to chase after some other dreams that I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve always had that really healthy balance, but I’m really really excited.”

114

Consecutive weeks at No. 1. Barty’s streak at the top of the WTA rankings is the fourth longest in history, trailing only Steffi Graf (186), Serena Williams (186) and Martina Navratilova (156).

305

Career singles wins. Barty finishes her time on the court with a singles record of 305–102 and a doubles record of 200-64.

23.8 million

Total career prize money. Over the course of her professional career, Barty earned $23,829,071 in prize money.

World No. 1 Ash Barty announced her retirement from professional tennis Wednesday, spurring reactions from leaders across the sport.

Barty has spent 114 consecutive weeks atop the world rankings, good for the fourth-longest streak in the history of the WTA Tour. She trails just Steffi Graf (186 weeks), Serena Williams (186) and Martina Navratilova (156).

“With her accomplishments at the Grand Slams, WTA Finals and reaching the pinnacle ranking of No.1 in the world, she has clearly established herself as one the great champions of the WTA,” WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a statement. “We wish Ash only the very best and know that she will continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the sport of tennis as she embarks on this new chapter of her life. We will miss her.”

Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion who currently sits at 26th in the world, said that she was in “tears” over Barty’s announcement.

“My friend, I will miss you on tour,” she wrote. “You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments.”

Andy Murray said that while he’s happy for Barty he’s “gutted for tennis.”

“What a player,” he wrote.

Madison Keys, who faced off against Barty in the Australian Open semifinal, called her “one of the nicest people on tour.”

Karolina Pliskova called it a “privilege” to share the court with Barty before wishing her “all the best” in retirement.

Petra Kvitova, who faced off against Barty on 10 occasions and won five of them, said that the Australian was showing “your true class.”

“I am so happy I could share the court with you,” she wrote. “Tennis will never be the same without you!”

Coco Gauff applauded Barty’s “incredible career” while also calling her an incredible person, wishing her well “in this next chapter.”

Jessica Pegula called her a “stud” for leaving the sport atop the rankings and “doing it your own way.”

“You gave all your heart to our sport and inspired so many along your journey,” wrote three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber. “You’re stepping away from tennis as a true champion and on your own terms.”

Tennis star Serena Williams said that she was “sad to read your decision” but is ultimately “happy for your new chapter”. Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion and joint record-holder for most consecutive weeks spent atop the world rankings at 186.

“Always your fan close up and afar,” she wrote. “Sending all my love.”

Barty is expected to address her retirement further in a press conference Thursday.

World No. 1 Ash Barty is retiring from tennis, she announced Wednesday in a video posted to her Instagram account.

The three-time Grand Slam champion is less than two months removed from her Australian Open win. The 25-year-old became the first Australian player to win the major since 1978. She also became the second active player next to Serena Williams to win majors on all three surfaces.

After her Australian Open win in January, she withdrew from Indian Wells and the Miami Open, citing an ongoing need for recovery. At the time, she said she aimed to return for the Billie Jean King Cup in April.

On Wednesday, though, Barty shared her plans to retire from the sport in a video with her close friend and former doubles player Casey Dellacqua.

“I just know at the moment, in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” Barty said. “As a person this is what I want. I want to chase after some other dreams that I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve always had that really healthy balance, but I’m really really excited.”

This is not the first time that Barty has stepped away from tennis. In 2014, she took a break, citing burnout and the overwhelming pressure and travel required. Her hiatus came three years after winning the Wimbledon junior championship at age 15.

She took up cricket, playing professionally in Australia, before again picking up her racket and returning to tennis in 2016.

Following her return, Barty won the 2019 French Open on clay and the 2021 Wimbledon on grass, and then she won on the hard courts at Melbourne Park in January. Since first turning pro in 2010, she has won 15 tour-level titles in singles and 12 in doubles. She’s spent the past 114 weeks atop the world rankings, bringing her career total to 121 weeks.

She retires having earned $23,829,071 on tour.

“I know I’ve done this before, but in a very different feeling,” Barty said. “And I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams possible, but I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams.”

She’s not the first tennis player to walk away at the top of their game. Justine Henin retired in May 2008 at No. 1 in the world, having spent 61 consecutive weeks atop the rankings, also at the age of 25. She returned two years later, reaching the 2010 Australian Open final before retiring for good in 2011.

Revealing that the conversations about walking away began after she won Wimbledon, Barty said that there was “just a little part of me” that wasn’t fully satisfied. Then came the Australian Open.

“To be able to win Wimbledon which was my dream, my one true dream that I wanted in tennis, that really changed my perspective,” she said. “Then came the challenges of the Australian Open and I think that for me just feels like the most perfect way, my perfect way to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career has been.

“I’m fulfilled, I’m happy, and I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself…I just know physically I have nothing more to give and that for me is success. I’ve given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis and I’m really happy with that.”

World No. 1 Ash Barty is out of Indian Wells and the Miami Open, pulling out of both tournaments on Thursday while citing a need for ongoing recovery following her Australian Open win.

Indian Wells begins next week while the Miami Open, where Barty is a two-time defending champion, begins March 21.

“Unfortunately, my body has not recovered the way I’d hoped after the Australian Open and I have not been able to adequately prepare for Indian Wells and Miami,” Barty said. “I don’t believe I am at the level necessary to win these events and as a result I have decided to withdraw from both tournaments.

“I love these events and am sad not to be there competing but getting my body right must be my focus.”

She added that she aims to return and represent her country in the Billie Jean King Cup event which begins April 15.

“After missing the BJK Cup last year I can’t wait to wear the green and gold again.”

The tennis stars’ withdrawal means that both finalists from the Australian Open in January will not be present at Indian Wells. Danielle Collins also decided not to play the tournament, citing ongoing injuries.

Barty’s Australian Open win ended a 44-year drought for Australian Open at Melbourne Park. It was her third Grand Slam singles title and her first on hard courts.

Ash Barty let out a thunderous roar immediately after clinching the Australian Open title on Saturday, highlighting the gravity of the historic moment.

Defeating American Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6(2), Barty became the first Australian since Chris O’Neil in 1978 to capture the Grand Slam title on home soil.

“As an Aussie, the most important part of this tournament is being able to share it with so many people,” Barty said following her win. “You guys today in the crowd have been nothing shy of exceptional.”

Adding to the emotions surrounding Saturday’s victory, Australian tennis icon and Barty’s friend and idol, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, presented her with the championship trophy.

“This crowd is one of the most fun I’ve ever played in front of, and you guys brought me so much joy out here today,” Barty said. “You relaxed me and you forced me to play my best tennis, and against a champion like Danielle, I know I had to absolutely bring that today.”

The win gives Barty her third Grand Slam title, making her the second active player next to Serena Williams to win majors on all three surfaces.

“This is just a dream come true for me, and I’m so proud to be an Aussie,” she said.