“Ashleigh Barty’s unretiring soon to end Iga Swiatek”: Fans speculate Aussie’s “comeback” as Wimbledon confirms her invitational doubles participation

Iga Swiatec and Ashleigh Barty

 

Ashleigh Barty is set to return to tennis at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. The prestigious grasscourt Major has announced that the former World No. 1 will feature in the invitational doubles match. This development has gripped tennis fans with excitement.

 

Iga Swiatec and Ashleigh Barty

Barty called time on her illustrious tennis career in March 2022, citing her lack of motivation to continue playing the sport professionally as the reason behind the decision. The Aussie was the top-ranked women’s tennis player at the time. Her last competitive outing was in the final of the 2022 Australian Open, where she defeated Danielle Collins to win her 15th singles title on the WTA Tour.

The three-time Grand Slam winner’s retirement also propelled Iga Swiatek to the top of the WTA Tour rankings. Since then, the Pole has, for the most part, held that position and become women’s tennis’ most dominant force in the current era.

On Wednesday, June 19, the official Instagram handle of the Wimbledon Championships announced that Barty will play in the invitational doubles match this year. The Australian’s last Wimbledon appearance came in 2021 when she won the final after getting the better of Karolina Pliskova.

Tennis fans on X (formerly Twitter) were ecstatic upon taking notice of the news. One set of fans was hopeful that Barty would reconsider her retirement from tennis and eventually come out of it.

Another set of fans opined that if Barty did make her full comeback, it would spell trouble for reigning World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and her chances of winning Wimbledon this year.