She is Australia’s tennis sweetheart but world No. 1 Ash Barty has only one thing on her mind right now – walking down the aisle to say “I do.”
Ash, 25, thrilled fans last week when she announced her engagement to partner of four years Garry Kissick, 30, an aspiring professional golfer who is her biggest fan, both on and off the court.
The duo, who first met at Brisbane’s Brookwater Golf Club in 2016, are inseparable.
He travels almost everywhere she plays, and was introduced to the world when Ash mounted the stands of Wimbledon in front of millions of people last July and fell into the arms of the man she lovingly refers to as her “cheeky and caring handsome boy”.
Planning the perfect wedding for Ash will play out much like everything else in her life – as a real team effort.
(Instagram)Planning the perfect wedding for Ash will play out much like everything else in her life – as a real team effort.
“She will assemble the very best people, from her sisters to her mum,” a close friend of the family shares with Woman’s Day.
“It will be simple and without any fuss, but incredibly romantic and definitely not gushy!
“Just like she’s done on the tennis circuit, Ash will do the heavy lifting in the lead-up, trust that everyone else will do their bit and she’ll just turn up match-ready – and definitely on time!”
One thing is certain, wherever they decide to tie the knot it will no doubt be somewhere on the picturesque Queensland coast for a big fat beach wedding, and if Ash gets her way, it could be the beautiful North Stradbroke Island where she spent many a childhood holiday.
It’s set to be a real family affair, with nieces and nephews, and their beloved pooches set to be centrestage.
There’ll be plenty of local fare, including Moreton Bay bugs and the famous Darling Downs wagyu beef – complete with delicious Granite Belt wines and their favourite ’80s music!
Whatever they choose, as a proud Indigenous woman, Ash is expected to honour in some significant way her heritage.
It’s been a big 12 months for the humble girl from Brisbane who dared to dream big.
Closing off the year as one of only a handful of women who have achieved world No. 1 status three years in a row, Ash is back home in Queensland enjoying some well-earned downtime before it all gets going again.
“She’s refreshingly unaffected, and with Garry at her side, they have so much to look forward to heading into another year.
“They both want to start a family, but like everything they do, that will happen exactly when they’re ready,” reveals the friend.
“With Garry at her side, they have so much to look forward to heading into another year.”
(Instagram)But the question on everyone’s lips is: what will Ash wear on her big day?
When it comes to designing the perfect dress for Australia’s new queen of tennis, Woman’s Day turned to Queensland’s leading bridal designer Wendy Makin, who says she would be honoured to create something wonderful for Ash’s special day.
“I actually designed her sister Ali’s gown five years ago,” says Wendy.
“I’ve been in bridal design for 40 years, and to have the opportunity to work with Ash would be a privilege.
“She’s such a wonderful role model, and she conducts herself with such grace – she’s going to make a beautiful bride!
“I would focus on simple and elegant lines – you don’t want to detract from her loveliness.”
