Barty party! IT'S TIME FOR BABY NUMBER TWO

CLUCKY ASH HAS PUT HER CAREER ON THE BACKBURNER

Despite widespread rumours that Ash Barty would return to the tennis court this year, last month she put the kibosh on any talk of emerging from her shock early retirement.

In March, a matchfit Ash lined up for the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship, suggesting the avid golfer with a four handicap may well swap her racquet for a 9 iron.

But when asked if there was any truth that she was making a tennis comeback or switching to golf, Ash didn't hold back, telling local reporters, "And the answer is no to both!"

Now, New Idea has exclusively learnt that Ash, who turned 28 last week, has put any potential career moves on hold to give her 10-month-old son Hayden a sibling.

We're told she is talking openly among friends about her and husband Garry Kissick's desire to have two children close in age.