sport news Ash Barty reveals she WILL return to the Australian Open in January trends now
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Champion Aussie tennis player Ash Barty has confirmed that she will return to the Australian Open in 2023 - just not as a player.
The 26-year-old sensationally quit the sport at the peak of her powers following her watershed Australian Open championship this year and has rejected all suggestions that she might return to professional sport in the future.
While tennis fans won't get to see her defend her title at Rod Laver Arena in January, they will get to see Barty at the Open - and will even get to have a hit with her if they are lucky.
'I was never going to run away, I promise. I was always going to be back,' she said on the Today Show.
'It wasn't something that it was close the door and never come return.'
Barty has signed up as the newest ambassador for the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program that will see her busy at the Open.
'No centre court, I will be working in the background doing my thing,' she said.
'But I certainly will be enjoying it, like everyone else.
Barty won Wimbledon (pictured) and the Australian Open before her shock retirement this year
'I can't wait, it's scary to think it's so close, it feels like a couple of sleeps and it will be here.
'But I am certainly
