'My reputation has been tarnished': Ash Gardner breaks silence on affair and marriage breakdown

Gardner Addresses Public Fallout For The First Time

Australian vice-captain Ash Gardner has spoken publicly for the first time about the alleged affair with teammate Georgia Voll that contributed to the breakdown of her marriage to Monica Wright, telling Australian outlet CODE Sports that the situation became far more public than she had anticipated.

Gardner admitted she had been "naive" about the level of attention the matter would attract, and acknowledged that her public image has taken a significant hit over the controversy.

"My reputation has been tarnished with the public, but I guess something that I always try to strive to do when representing any team that I play in is be the best teammate that I can, and hopefully show what this team means to me when I'm playing for them," Gardner said.

The controversy first came to light earlier this year when Wright revealed the affair on social media. The relationship between Gardner and Voll is believed to have begun during the Women's World Cup in India last year.

Gardner has since apologised to Wright and said she has spent time reflecting on what happened.

A Platform Comes With A Price

The Australian vice-captain said that playing at an elite level inevitably exposes athletes to intense scrutiny of their personal lives.

"Playing sport at a high level, you're open to having a platform, and sometimes with this comes interest from the public, and they want to know things about your personal life, and they invest, and then can make judgment either way of what you are or aren't doing," she said.

'I Was Certainly Surprised'

Gardner admitted she was shocked when Wright publicly identified Voll, posting a photo of the teammate alongside the written accusation, "This is who my wife cheated on me with."

"I was certainly surprised, as you could imagine," Gardner said. "I certainly didn't expect the situation to take the path that it did, or to become as public as what it did. But I also understand that everyone has their own way of dealing with difficult situations."

Eyes On The Future With Australia

Gardner said she now wants to focus on learning from the experience, having difficult conversations where necessary and moving forward with the Australian team.

She added that she understood Wright's perspective and tried to remain positive during what she described as a very difficult period.