The real reason Casey Dellacqua quit tennis is beautiful

Casey Dellacqua has revealed how she sacrificed her multi-million-dollar tennis career to carry a child for her partner.

The former grand slam doubles champion and top-30 singles ace retired in April to spend more time with her growing family.

But now the six-month pregnant Dellacqua has lifted the lid on the more personal reason she quit, confessing it was her time to deliver for her partner, former Australian touch football star Amanda Judd.

“She’s done most of the hard work till now, giving birth to our first two,” Dellacqua told AAP on Thursday.

“Obviously she allowed me to continue with my sport and to do what I love, which is great. We’re a really good team and we balance each other out and are always willing to support each other.

“But, as a female, pregnancy was something I wanted to experience as well and we always knew we wanted three children so it was my turn to carry.

“I’m very grateful that I’m getting to experience this. It’s very exciting and I really can’t wait to meet the baby.”

Apart from winning the 2011 French Open mixed title with American Scott Lipsky, Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty are the only Australian pairing in the 50-year open era to reach all four women’s grand slam doubles finals.

Along with Jelena Dokic and Samantha Stosur, the free-hitting left-hander is also the only Australian woman in the past 20 years to reach the second week of two different singles majors.

The West Australian knows she’s given up a lucrative career for love but has no regrets.

“I could have had a long successful career in doubles going well in to my 40s, I guess, but it’s not something I ever even thought about since the kids have come along,” Dellacqua said.

“For me, the kids are only young once and I had kids because I wanted to be around and spend a lot of time with them.

“So it was important for me that I made family a priority and I basically just missed my family too much when I was away.

“I just want to be at home with my family. We’re just a very happy, normal family.”

Despite knowing “life is going to get a whole lot busier with three kids”, 33-year-old Dellacqua plans on continuing in her role as a development coach for Australia’s next generation of stars.