Ash Barty returns to the court for special Australian Open event

Ash Barty will be returning to the tennis court to participate in a special event to celebrate the Australian Open.

The tennis star, 26, will be playing at Myer and Mastercard’s ‘Match in the Mall’ event alongside Jim Courier, Alicia Molik and Casey Dellacqua next Sunday.

A full scale tennis court will be installed on Bourke St mall for the special occasion.

Myer ambassador Kris Smith will also act as MC alongside Jim, when he isn’t playing on the court.

Myer Chief Customer Officer Geoff Ikin told the Herald Sun: ‘Our main objective is to bring fun and footfall back to the city, and with tennis fever alive it gives us the perfect opportunity to partner with Mastercard to close off the summer of tennis in style.’

‘It’s extremely exciting to have Ash participating with a host of other tennis legends including Alicia, Casey and Jim and more to come.’

‘Our partnership with Mastercard has meant that this event will have some fantastic Australian and international superstars, which will be a real treat for people in Bourke Street.’

Ash sensationally quit tennis at the peak of her powers in March last year, following her watershed Australian Open championship.

She has rejected all suggestions that she might return to professional sport in the future.

Ash has since signed up as the newest ambassador for the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

While Ash has not been active on the tennis tour, it has been a busy year for the former world No.1.

She married longtime partner Garry Kissick, released her memoir My Dream Time and also launched her Little Ash range of children’s books with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin.

She also recently announced she is expecting her first child with Garry.