Barty to lead charity event at Brisbane tournament

Ashleigh Barty continues her commitment to Australian sport.

The former world number 1, who retired from sport in 2022 a few weeks after winning the Australian Open on home soil, hasn't strayed far from the tennis courts.

In fact, she will be in Brisbane in the coming days for a good cause.

The 28-year-old former player, who launched the Ash Barty Foundation at the start of 2024 with the aim of inspiring, educating and providing opportunities for the next generation through sport and education, will be hosting her charity event.

The event will take place in the city hosting one of the first tournaments of the 2025 season.

With the help of Patrick Rafter and other players from the ATP and WTA circuits, she will be in Brisbane on Sunday December 29, the first day of the tournament, to play an exhibition match.

The tournament's ball boys and girls will be wearing the Barty Foundation logo on their uniforms on this day.

"I'm grateful to the Brisbane International team for giving me the opportunity to raise awareness of the Ash Barty Foundation and get involved with young Australians.

I've been lucky in my journey, but not all children have the same experience.

The Foundation's aim is to give boys and girls more opportunities to discover what they love to do, and to give them the chance to make their dreams come true.

I'm incredibly proud of the work we've done so far, but this is just the beginning.

It will be great fun to hit the court with Pat Rafter and friends for the charity match and meet lots of young tennis fans," Ashleigh Barty told Tennis Australia.