Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has praised Ash Barty for her "enormous" contribution to the AFL club and says she will always be welcome at Punt Rd.

The Tigers coach has spoken of his shock at the tennis star's retirement announcement, saying she will be a big loss to sport in general.

Hardwick also would love to see Barty try playing Australian Rules.

Barty is a Tigers fanatic and was famously seen enjoying a beer at the Gabba while watching Richmond play during the 2020 finals series.

"(She has been) enormous. We probably are reflective of each other, in a way -- the way she went about her tennis and her authenticity and vulnerability," Hardwick said of her contribution to Richmond.

"It probably lent itself a little bit to what we're about as well.

"We can always learn off others and she's been a great ambassador for us also.

"Hopefully she's not too foreign to the Tigers."

While Barty is adamant there will be no tennis comeback, Hardwick hopes she might reconsider.

"Shock, I was probably like everyone else," he said of his reaction to the Barty news.

"It probably sums Ash up, in a way. She's at the top of her game and for one reason or another thought this is a good time to go.

"She'll be a loss. I hope she's not a loss for too long, I really enjoyed watching her play, obviously."

Hardwick also revealed that the Tigers have spoken to Barty about maybe trying to switch sports.

During her tennis sabbatical between late 2014 and early 2016, Barty played in the inaugural WBBL season.

"We did have a conversation. I think she was down here after we won one of the flags because we thought it would be good to see her play," Hardwick said.

"Whatever she takes her hand at she does very well at.

"I would assume ... she'd be an absolute star at playing AFL.

"I'd love to see her in Tiger colours and I'm sure the Richmond faithful would as well."

If Richmond don't recover quickly from their round-loss to Carlton, Hardwick said Barty might have an even more important role at the club.

"It might be coach if we don't start getting some wins," he said.

"She is always welcome down here, she knows that.

"So she's always welcome through our doors."