Ash Barty’s Secret Project Has Fans Wondering If the Retired Champion Is Plotting the Ultimate Tennis Comeback

Ash Barty walked away from tennis at the top of her game — world number one, three-time Grand Slam champion, and the picture of composure. When she announced her shock retirement in 2022, fans accepted her choice… reluctantly. After all, how often does an athlete bow out while still dominating?

But lately, there’s been a shift in the air — and it’s got the tennis world on edge.

Barty has been quietly, almost stealthily, dropping hints that not everything about her competitive spirit is in the past. Photos of intense workouts. Sightings at practice courts. A few cryptic comments in interviews about “still having that fire” and “enjoying hitting the ball again.” It’s just enough to set imaginations racing.

And now, the rumours are swirling. Is Ash Barty considering a comeback?

Those who’ve followed her career know she’s full of surprises. Remember when she quit tennis as a teenager, tried her hand at professional cricket, then returned to dominate the WTA? That wasn’t just a comeback — it was a masterclass in reinvention.

If she’s planning something similar now, the timing couldn’t be better. The women’s game is wide open, with no single player owning the dominance Barty once had. A return could set the sport on fire — both for the spectacle and for the seismic shake-up it would cause in the rankings.

Then again, maybe the whispers are all wrong. Maybe she’s working on something outside the court — a high-profile sporting project, a global brand collaboration, or even a deep dive into mentoring the next generation of Australian tennis stars.

Either way, Barty isn’t denying anything… but she’s not confirming it, either. That signature smile? Still there. The laser focus? As sharp as ever. The fans? Hanging on every clue like it’s match point.

One thing’s certain — when Ash Barty makes her next big move, she won’t do it halfway. Whether it’s a comeback or a brand-new adventure, the shockwaves will be felt far beyond tennis.

And if she is secretly training for a return? Well… the rest of the WTA might want to start practicing their second serves now.