Ash Barty to be involved in a Australian Open champion's trophy presentation
WTA
Ashleigh Barty may not be playing professionally anymore, but she is expected to retain a link to her home Grand Slam at the Australian Open during the trophy ceremony for the women's singles.
It has been nearly a year since Barty stunned tennis fans, players, and journalists by retiring from professional tennis in March 2022. At the time of her consequential decision, she was just 25 and the WTA world No. 1.
A few months after that shock announcement, Barty discussed in greater detail how her motivation dropped after winning the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. Triumphing at SW19 was her childhood dream, and achieving it meant everything.
Players have different attitudes to success. While many others would be even more determined to win further Grand Slam titles after achieving a lifelong dream, Barty could not find the drive to train at the same intensity after that moment.
Neither approach is wrong, and players should always do what is right for them. It took bravery and courage for Barty to give up her lucrative tennis career because it did not feel like the right path for her anymore.
Barty's reduced motivation after the 2021 Wimbledon Championships made her achievement at last year's Australian Open even more remarkable. The 26-year-old stormed to the title of her home Grand Slam without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
Since retiring, Barty has kept herself busy. She wrote a children's book and is pregnant with her first child. Naomi Osaka, another former world No. 1, recently announced she was pregnant.
A new women's singles champion at the Australian Open is guaranteed after Barty's retirement, but the three-time Grand Slam winner will be present for the final. The Age reports that she will carry the trophy onto the court.
It is unclear whether Barty will also present the trophy to the winner. That question will be answered when the new women's singles champion is confirmed.
