“I hope that she will change her mind like Wozniacki and come back” – Jabeur wants new mother Barty back on tour

The best players in the sport are hoping Ash Barty might return to the tour as a mother

Ash Barty at the 2022 Australian Open Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

July 5, 2023

It says a lot when some of your peers and rivals want you back on court because they miss the challenge that you bring to them. But that’s exactly the sentiment that was echoed in the press room at Wimbledon on Tuesday as word got around that Ash Barty, who retired at the top of the sport last March, had given birth to a baby boy.

Last week, former world No 1 and now mother-of-two Caroline Wozniacki announced that she would return to the sport during the summer hardcourt stretch and play at the US Open – the latest in a series of players returning to the tour as mothers.

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Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka, two of the top six seeds in this year’s Wimbledon draw, would now like to see Barty back on tour as a mum as well.

Ons Jabeur - (c) Action Plus / Panoramic — Ons Jabeur – (c) Action Plus / Panoramic

“I’m very happy for her that she had a baby boy. I’m very happy for her because this is something that I want to have, a family,” Jaber said after her first round win on Tuesday. “I’m sure she’s enjoying being a mom right now than being on a tennis court waiting to play at Wimbledon (smiling). I hope that she will change her mind like Wozniacki and comes back maybe in one or two years. I still hope that she will change her mind and come back.”

Sabalenka, who also won her first round match on Tuesday, said she also misses Barty on the tour and believes that if the Australian decided to return to the sport, she would definitely do well.

Ashleigh Barty & Aryna Sabalenka, Stuttgart, 2021 — Ash Barty and Aryna Sabalenka, Image Credit: Zuma/ Panoramic

“I’m super happy for her. I wish her all the best in her new chapter of her life. Having a baby, that’s really amazing. I think she’s really enjoying it. Super happy for her. I really miss Ashleigh on tour. I really enjoyed our matches against each other, all our battles. It was always nice to play against her. She made her decision, and I really respect it. I wish her all the best in her new life,” Sabalenka said.

“I definitely think she has everything to come back. She’s very talented. I feel like she already made it once. I think if she’s going to decide to come back playing tennis, she’s going to do well.”