PEDESTRIAN.TV had the pleasure of sitting down for a one-on-one with Aussie tennis legend Ash Barty. Like most of the country, we were curious to know what life actually looks like for a former World No. 1 turned mother/muva (because she is still very much serving, as you will soon find out). Trust me, the tea has been obtained.
We love pro-athletes because they usually drop the best life lessons and our chat with AB was no different. If you take anything away from this, let it be these three lessons: be present, compete only with yourself and moderation is key — even in retirement.
In case you’re living with SpongeBob and Patrick (under a rock or in a pineapple), Ash Barty shocked the entire world in 2022 when she announced her retirement at age 25. She left at the top of her game to pursue family life, eventually marrying Golfer Garry Kissick and welcoming two kids, Hayden and Jordan.
Fast forward to December 2025, she’s traded the tennis whites for a hi-vis. Delivering with Amazon Flex to show appreciation for Amazon delivery partners in the lead-up to Christmas.
Yes, she actually delivered packages and as you can imagine, the customer reactions were top-tier.
“The best [reaction] for me was a lady we went and saw.” Ash recounted, “She had some cheesecakes in the oven and came to the door in a cooking apron. Halfway through our chat, she remembered the cakes and had to duck back inside and get them before they burned.”
Barty walked away from the day with a “real sense of appreciation and gratitude” for the delivery partners keeping our holidays afloat.
Lesson 1: Be present
I’m a firm believer that you can have more than one dream and more than one identity. Just because Ash was World No. 1 and is now a thriving mother doesn’t mean we should pigeonhole her.
When asked if there would be a “third act” on the horizon, her response was a masterclass in being present.
“I’m pretty happy where I am right now to be able to enjoy this time with my kids,” Barty told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“I was very grateful to have such a fulfilling tennis career… and now my journey and experience as a mum, I’m learning something every day, I’m enjoying it every single day. I get to watch my kids grow up and develop into incredible humans.”
This focus on the ‘now’ is something my own physio hammers into every session, and Ash doubled down on it.
“You don’t get this time back again. So it’s important to enjoy it, to embrace it and really love what you do.”
“And what comes next? I don’t know… we’ll have to wait and see.”
While she’s keeping the future open, we’ve already seen hints of Ash’s next chapter. She’s written children’s books and has been spotted bigging up rising Aussie tennis stars Maya Joint and Emerson Jones. Naturally, I had to ask if spending time with these upcomers has sparked an itch to transition into coaching full-time.
“No, I’m completely happy with where I am at the moment,” Ash clarified.
“I love getting out on court and hitting with those girls [but] I’m out there as a sparring partner. It’s like riding a bike. I get back out on the court and all the muscle memories know what to do. I get to enjoy just hitting tennis balls, which is something that I’ve always loved.”Coaching? No.
Mentoring for love of the game and to push the next generation of Aussie athletes even further? Yes.
“To do that with girls that are really at the beginning of their journey is something that I always cherish as well because I get to see what it feels like again to hit with a professional and to see how much they’ve grown in between hits… it’s amazing,” Ash said. “And the ball comes out of the middle of the racket for the most part.”
Lesson 2: Compete with yourself
You can’t be crowned World No. 1 without an elite competitive drive. But does this drive ever really switch off? Look at the greats, Michael Jordan (the literal wealthiest athlete of all time, thanks to earnings made post-retirement), Serena Williams and Magic Johnson.
When asked if her competitive spirit is manifesting in mum-life, whether that includes secret pram racing with other mums or timing chores to hit a PB, she admitted the competitor in her “was completely fulfilled playing tennis”.
“Now the only person I’ll ever compete with is myself,” she said. “Whether it’s going for a run or on the bike… part of it is having fun with the competition — can I go a little bit faster? Can I go a bit further? But the only person I’ll ever compete with is myself.”
Corporate take notes, some of y’all are a little too competitive for my liking. Meanwhile, Ash has found the ultimate flex — only being better than the person she was yesterday.
Lesson 3: Everything in moderation — even in retirement
Finally, you can’t sit down with a former World No. 1 and not ask what “forbidden fruits” one can indulge in now that the strict training regime is over. But it turns out, elite habits die hard.
“Everything in moderation. It’s all about balance,” she said. “Life’s too short not to be able to enjoy everything and smell the roses.”
If you need more proof that Ash Barty is living her best life, look no further than her ties to Old Mates Pub in New York City. Ash has been linked to the three-story Aussie pub in downtown Manhattan alongside icons like Hugh Jackman, Patty Mills and Hamish & Andy.
While she remained tight-lipped about her connection to the venue, Ash spilled some advice for Aussies heading to the “Big Apple”.
“It’s the best Aussie pub you’ll find in New York City,” she promised. “You feel like you’re transported to a pub here in Australia — you’ve got the beer, the food, the sport on the TV. It’s a taste of home.”
As for surviving the city itself? Ash has one non-negotiable tip:
“Make sure you take your running shoes. You’ll be doing thousands and thousands of steps. But it’s absolutely worth it — then go sit down, have a cold beer and a meal at Old Mates, and it’s a pretty good day.”
Spoken like a true champion.
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