Former world number one tennis player Ash Barty is expecting her second child with husband, Garry Kissick. 

Mr Kissick announced the news in a post to Instagram on Wednesday.

“Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours,” he wrote.

In the photo, the couple’s son, Hayden, is seen wearing a shirt that reads: “I’m going to be a big brother.” 

Barty was a collaborator on the post but did not add a comment of her own. 

The news was met with a hundreds of congratulatory comments.

“Ahhh congratulations! The most wonderful news,” seven-time Olympic medallist Libby Trickett wrote. 

Australian tennis star Lizette Cabrera added: “Omg!!! Congrats guys.” 

Tennis commentator Casey Dellacqua, surfer Stephanie Gilmore and golfer Hannah Green were other athletes to leave well-wishes. 

The couple welcomed Hayden in July 2023. 

His arrival was also announced on Instagram, with the pair writing, “Our beautiful boy. Welcome to the world, Hayden!”

Barty shocked the tennis world in March 2022 when she announced her retirement from the sport just two months after winning the Australian Open women’s singles title at Melbourne Park. 

She was the first local player to achieve the feat since 1978.

Barty won 15 career singles titles and became world number one in 2019.