LONDON — Ash Barty was looking for a thesaurus after her exhibition doubles match at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
A 3-time Grand Slam singles champion, Barty retired simply over two years in the past on the age of 25. She plans to remain retired.
“You guys are killing me,” Barty instructed journalists. “Anybody have a thesaurus for a phrase that I can use for ‘no?’”
Barty performed an invite doubles match on Centre Court docket three years to the day after she beat Karolina Pliskova for the Wimbledon title.
The Australian’s return to the All England Membership naturally sparked questions on whether or not she would come again.
Not , she mentioned. A yr in the past, Barty gave beginning to a child boy. She’s additionally doing commentary for the BBC’s protection of Wimbledon.
“I’ve acquired a lovely commentary field on each Centre and Court docket 1,” she mentioned. “You get view and are capable of soak up what’s occurring out on the courtroom. Hopefully folks at dwelling are having fun with what I’m having to say. I don’t know whether or not I’m proper, fallacious or detached, however I’m having fun with it as nicely.”
The 28-year-old Barty mentioned she doesn’t ponder what would have been had she stayed on tour to battle Iga Swiatek for the No. 1 rating.
“I actually take pleasure in watching others do nicely,” she mentioned. “We’ve seen Iga dominate for essentially the most a part of the final two and a half years. She’s been unbelievable the best way she has composure, has gone on unbelievable runs, successful matches and actually dominating, which is tough to do. It’s been actually spectacular watching from afar.”
Within the exhibition match, Barty and Casey Dellacqua beat the pairing of Andrea Petkovic and Magdalena Rybarikova.
“I like tennis. I like being right here. I like being concerned,” Barty mentioned. “Now, I simply get to choose and select in small doses, which is very nice.”
