Tennis star Ash Barty has revealed she is pregnant with her first child.

Barty was the first Australian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in 46 years when she triumphed at the French Open last year. She announced her pregnancy on social media, saying: “We’re so excited to share with you our news – we’re having a baby! We can’t wait to meet our little one and for our amazing journey to begin.”

She recently revealed that her decision was motivated by the desire to create a family with her husband. In an interview with Australian magazine Women’s Health, Ash said, “We’ve known for a while now, so we’re both really excited about it." Ash is looking forward to becoming a mother and adjusting to life in the new role, saying “We’re so ready for this new adventure.”

Many of Ash Barty’s fellow players have taken to social media to congratulate her, including Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka who both posted messages of support on Instagram. Ash Barty said she was “overwhelmed by the love and support from everyone around the world” and thanked her fans for their kind words.

The news has been met with great excitement in the tennis world and Ash Barty has said that while she won’t be returning to the court this year, she is still looking forward to following her passion for tennis from the sidelines.

Ash Barty will now focus on preparing for motherhood and the arrival of her baby. It’s sure to be a very exciting time for Ash and her family! Ash has said that she is “so excited for this new adventure” and will continue to support the sport she loves from a distance.

The tennis community wishes Ash Barty all the best on her journey into motherhood. Congratulations Ash! We can’t wait to hear your baby news.