World number one tennis player Ash Barty has announced her engagement to long-term partner Garry Kissick.
Key points:
- Ash Barty and Garry Kissick announced their engagement on Instagram
- The pair have been officially dating since 2017
- Barty won five WTA singles titles in a stellar 2021 season
The 25-year-old shared a post on Instagram with the caption "Future husband" along with a picture of the pair hugging, an engagement ring prominently displayed on her finger.
Kissick, a trainee golf professional at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club in Queensland, shared two photos on his Instagram page with the date of their engagement, November 15, and the caption, "I love you @ashbarty".
The pair have been dating since 2016, going public in 2017.
Although they have kept a relatively low public profile, Kissick, 30, has regularly posted photos of the pair at various tennis tournaments around the world on his Instagram page.
The announcement came off the back of a stellar year on the court for the Queenslander.
The Ipswich athlete won five WTA singles titles in 2021 — including a maiden Wimbledon crown — and earned a doubles bronze medal at this year's Tokyo Olympic Games with John Peers.
After winning Wimbledon, Barty climbed into the Centre Court stands to share an emotional embrace with Kissick.
Barty has not competed in over two months after being knocked out of the US Open and opting out of the WTA finals in Mexico to return home to prepare for next year's Australian Open.
She ended the year with a remarkable 42-8 record in 2021 and has been number one for 95 consecutive weeks.
Fellow players and athletes were quick to congratulate the pair on social media.
Former world number one Simona Halep replied with a series of heart emojis, while Aussie Priscilla Hon wrote "Omg!!!!!!"
Barty's former doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua, wrote "Best news EVER beautiful couple", followed by several heart emojis, adding "Cuties … best news" to Kissick's post.
Barty's former Brisbane Heat teammates Holly Ferling and Jess Jonassen both wrote, "Congratulations legend" in response to her post, while Heat men's player Chris Lynn wrote, "Yessss Gaz … congrats guys" with two heart emojis.
The WTA, Tennis Australia and the Australian Open accounts also offered their congratulations, as did Richmond FC AFL club, who Barty is an avid supporter of.
Former Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin wrote "This is amazing!!".