There’s no denying that Ash Barty – former world number one in women’s tennis – is an Australian icon.
After dominating her sport for years, she’s collected adoring fans around the world. But one of her biggest fans is her long-term partner Garry Kissick.
But who is this “mystery man” that our favourite tennis player has wed? And how long have he and Barty been together? We’re sure you have a lot of questions about the tennis star’s husband and their sweet love story – and we’ve got the answers.
Who is Ash Barty?
Ashleigh “Ash” Barty is an Australian athlete. She has played cricket and golf but became world-famous as one of the best tennis players of her time.
Ash Barty was born on April 24, 1996, making her just 26 years old. She’s a proud Ngaragu woman and is the National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador for Tennis Australia.
In 2017, 2018 and 2019, she won the Female Sportsperson of the Year at the National Dreamtime Awards.
Her career highlights include an early win at the 2011 Wimbledon tournament (where she won the Girls’ Singles title at the age of 15), an appearance at the 2014 Australian Open finals (which made her the youngest Grand Slam finalist in a decade), and her first WTA title in 2017 (which launched her into the top 17).
One of her biggest career achievements to date is her victory at the French Open in 2019, where she became the first Australian to win the Singles tournament since 1973.
This win also granted her the title of “No. 1 ranked player in the world,” only the second Australian in the WTA singles rankings to do so. In 2021, she cemented that ranking when she won the Wimbledon Ladies’ Single Title.
Barty retired from tennis in March 2022, while still ranked World No.1.
Who is Garry Kissick?
Garry Kissick is a 32-year-old golf player and PGA Trainee Professional at the Brookwater Golf & Country Club in Brisbane. He is now the caddy for Aussie golfer, Louis Dobbelaar.
According to Kissick’s LinkedIn he started out at the club more than a decade ago in golf operations and maintenance, but slowly worked his way up the corporate ladder to become PGA Trainee Professional in 2018.
How long were Ash Barty and Garry Kissick dating?
The happy couple initially met in 2016 at the Brookwater Golf Club where Kissick works.
Barty was at the greens to play a round of golf, but little did she know her life would never be the same. Barty and Kissick immediately clicked and began dating.
In an interview with Vogue, Barty revealed Kissick “didn’t know a lot” about tennis when they began dating but quickly became accustomed to the touring lifestyle.
“He’s kind of been thrown in the very deep end in understanding what the tour is like and how much we’re apart,” she tells the publication.
“But he’s the best person to have around in the sense of switching off from tennis and being able to bring the fun and laughter when we are training and not be so serious all the time. I certainly wouldn’t want to share this journey with anyone else.”
After meeting in 2016, the couple didn’t make their relationship public until the following year. They made their red carpet debut as a couple when Barty brought Kissick as her date to the John Newcombe Awards in 2017, where she received Australian tennis’ highest honour.
One of Barty’s first Instagram posts about their relationship was a shot from an A-League game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in October of that same year (pictured above).
Are Ash Barty and Garry Kissick married?
Barty and Kissick wed in 2022, confirming their nuptials on social media.
Barty posted a wedding photo of the pair walking hand-in-hand, with the tennis great donning in a classic white dress and Kissick in a black velvet tux and bow tie. The caption read “husband & wife”.
The private ceremony was purportedly very intimate and attended by tennis greats Pat Rafter, Alicia Molik and Casey Dellacqua.
When the pair became engaged on November 23, 2021, the pair posted to Instagram revealing that Kissick popped the question on November 15.
“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she revealed in an interview with the Courier Mail after her engagement.
“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies. It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”
Do they have any pet names for each other?
Barty has referred to Kissick as her “cheeky and caring handsome boy,” while Kissick affectionately calls the tennis player “baby.”
A person close to the couple also revealed that they’re pretty down-to-earth and supportive of each other despite her fame, calling them “the most normal couple you’ll find at that level in tennis.”
Where do Ash Barty and Garry Kissick live?
Even after Barty retired from her jet-setting career, they continue to spend time on the road. However, they return home to a home in Brookwater, Ipswich, west of Brisbane, close to where Barty grew up.
In her Vogue interview, Barty said she’s the best version of herself when she gets to spend time at home with Kissick.
“It feels normal, which is really heartwarming, knowing no matter where you go or what you do, home is where the heart is. Once you do get here, I am just the best version of myself again.”
Do Ash Barty and Gary Kissick have kids?
The happy couple welcomed their first child together in July 2023, sharing the news on social media.
“Our beautiful boy,” Ash captioned the picture. “Welcome to the world, Hayden!”
The announcement followed their sweet pregnancy reveal: a photo of their dog with a pair of shoes.
“2023 set to be the best year yet,” she wrote alongside a photo of the couple’s dog, Origi and a pair of baby shoes. “We are so excited for our new adventure.”
“Origi already the protective big sister.”
Read more here.
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