A FORMER Wimbledon champion resurfaced in a viral ad alongside Rafael Nadal.
The Australian superstar was the No1 tennis player in the world and reigned at the All England Club in 2021.
She then followed it up by winning her home Grand Slam in January 2022.
But Ash Barty, 29, stunned the sporting world when she suddenly retired from tennis two months later at the top of the game.
She has kept a low profile since, getting married to golfer Garry Kissick and welcoming the second of her two children last week, a daughter called Jordan.
Now, though, after three years out of the public spotlight, Barty made a shock comeback.
She stars in a hilarious 90-second commercial for car manufacturer Kia to promote their new pick-up truck, the Kia Tasman.
Barty plays the role of Tasman Town’s newest resident after buying a fixer-upper crumbling old house in the countryside.
She then calls in a load of ‘tradies’ to get the pad in shape – with Australian sporting heroes including Erin Phillips, Peter Daicos, Dane Swan, Jason Gillespie, Buddy Franklin, Alexander Volkanovski, Dylan Alcott and Pat Rafter all arriving on site in their Kia Tasmans.
Two-time Wimbledon finalist Rafter – naturally – is in charge of the turf with his company ‘Best On Grass’.
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But when they spot the roof is in need of repairs, recently-retired Nadal is called in, having been sponsored by Kia for many years.
And the Spaniard – dubbed Rafa’s Roofs – hilariously picked up the video call on his phone and left Australians in stitches with his cameo and response.
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
- I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
- I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
- I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
- I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
- I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
- I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
- I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
He said: “I am flat out.”
Then leaning in towards the camera, he asked: “Is it a cashie?” – Aussie slang for an under-the-table cash-in-hand job.
Like Nadal, Barty won the French Open – albeit just the once in 2019.
That came just two years after she returned to tennis’ majors following a two-year absence from the biggest tournaments as she took a break from the sport – and even played semi-pro cricket.
Since hanging up her racquet for good, the Queensland queen has even played in pro golf tournaments as well as having her two children.
Barty was a pundit for the BBC at Wimbledon last year and proved a popular addition – but the timing of Jordan’s recent arrival may rule her out of 2025’s tournament.
In the commercial she buys a fixer-upper house[/caption]
The tradies arrive in their new Kia Tasman trucks[/caption]
Pat Rafter’s company is called Best On Grass following his Wimbledon exploits[/caption]
