“I don’t have the time – I don’t have the time to train,I don’t have the time to prepare,and I have so many great memories out on this court,and now I just get to create new memories,” Barty said.
“I’m certainly not coming out of retirement. Pat may be more likely than me.”
The Brisbane International returns from December 31 for the first time since the COVID pandemic,attracting some of the world’s finest talents with a record prize pool of $3.1 million.
While previously the women’s draw featured 32 competitors,the 2023-24 instalment will increase to 48. The men’s contest remains with 32 players.
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The tournament will give Brisbane tennis pundits the chance to witness the next crop of Australian talents take to centre stage,with the sport in need of a new hometown hero.
Since Barty’s shock retirement while world No.1,tennis’ fiercest women have fought for the coveted ranking,with US Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka taking the spot from Iga Swiatek.
But no Australian player is ranked in the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 100,with the Gold Coast’s Kim Birrell the nation’s highest-ranked female player at 103.