Ashleigh Barty is set to make a special return to this year’s Brisbane International, taking on a new role as the headliner for a charity event. The former two-time Grand Slam champion, who launched her own foundation earlier this year, aims to create more opportunities for Australian children.
The 28-year-old will serve as the Brisbane International Ballkids Ambassador, with the young ballkids donning patches featuring her foundation’s logo. Barty will join Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter and other ATP and WTA stars participating in the tournament.
In a statement, Barty expressed her excitement about the event, saying, “I’m grateful to the Brisbane International team for providing me with an opportunity to raise awareness for the Ash Barty Foundation and to engage with young Australians throughout the tournament. I have been fortunate in terms of my journey, but not all kids have that same experience. The Ash Barty Foundation’s goal is to provide more opportunities for boys and girls to discover what they love to do and to give them the ability to follow their dreams. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done so far, but it’s only the beginning. It will be a lot of fun to hit on the court with Pat Rafter and friends for the charity match and to meet many young tennis fans.”
During her professional career, Barty made four main draw appearances at the Brisbane International but did not achieve significant success, with three round-of-16 exits and one first-round elimination. Notably, all her appearances occurred early in her career, with her last participation in 2019.The charity event is scheduled for December 29th, promising a day of fun and inspiration for young tennis enthusiasts.
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