Retired Australian tennis champion Ash Barty has added another accolade to her Wimbledon collection, finishing runner-up alongside close friend Casey Dellacqua in a rare return to the court.
The former doubles partners reunited for the legends tournament at the All England Club and reached the final after going undefeated in the group stage.
In the final, the Australians faced a formidable duo, Lleyton Hewitt’s ex-fiancée Kim Clijsters and former world number one Martina Hingis, who claimed a 6-3, 6-2 victory, sealing the title without dropping a set in any of their four appearances.
Despite losing, Barty and Dellacqua were all smiles as they enjoyed the joyous wild card category.
It is the fifth time the pair have reached a Grand Slam doubles final without a win, having previously reached all four Grand Slam finals, including three in 2013 alone.
Dellacqua, who has reached three other finals with other teammates, joked about her record: “I’m now eight times runner-up.”
“ABCD forever,” she wrote on social media, sharing a photo of herself and Barty holding their runners-up medals. Barty warmly replied: “Love you, my friend.”
Great friends Ash Barty (right) and Casey Dellacqua teamed up for the legends doubles tournament at Wimbledon
Lleyton Hewitt’s ex-fiancée Kim Clijsters faced the Australians in the final.
Clijsters and the former Australian world number one met at the Australian Open in 2000 (pictured together in 2002)
Clijsters was joined by former world number one Martina Hingis as they stormed to the title.
Barty, a former world number one who retired in 2022 and gave birth to her son Hayden the following year, had initially gone to Wimbledon as a commentator.
However, she couldn’t resist reuniting with Dellacqua for the legends event. Her first match was moved to Centre Court following the injury of fellow Australian Alex de Minaur.
The duo began their return to Wimbledon by beating Andrea Petkovic and Magdalena Rybarikova 5-7, 6-3, (10-7).
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the match was relaxed and Barty enjoyed the fun with her old friend. She laughed at her mistakes and took pride in some brilliant shots.
“It was an amazing feeling. Obviously, this is the place that holds some of my most precious memories, and it’s so nice to be back with my best friend on the court. It’s very special,” Barty said.
Barty returned to court for the first time since her surprise retirement and the birth of her first child, Hayden.
Dellacqua joked about how losing in the final meant she was an eight-time runner-up.
Hingis and Clijsters (pictured together) showed that they have lost none of their class on the court despite both being long retired.
Reflecting on her move to Centre Court, she added: “Yes, it was a big surprise. It was a very pleasant surprise. I was making lunch for my son at our house when I got an email saying we had been moved to Centre Court.
“I called Casey right away and said, ‘This is a little different than what we had planned! ‘ But we were excited.”
“It’s a beautiful course. It’s, in my opinion, the best course in the world. I’m very grateful and very lucky to be able to share an experience there again today.”
Australia featured heavily in all three legends finals. Hewitt teamed with former Wimbledon singles finalist Kevin Anderson in the men’s event, but the legendary Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, won 6-1, 6-4.
Also, Mark Woodforde, the 58-year-old former world number one in doubles, played with Dominika Cibulkova in the mixed tournament and triumphed 6-3, 6-2 over Barbara Schett and Nenad Zimonjic.
