With every modestly celebrated win, international title and well-articulated (not at all arrogant) pre, post and off-court interview, Ash Barty is fast becoming the Queen that every tennis court both here and abroad has long been yearning for.
At a time when Australian tennis was moving in a direction millions of us were ashamed to witness, the ‘Barty Party’ is a beacon of hope amidst what was the gradual demise of tennis Australia’s once very distinguished reputation.
pic.twitter.com/3ueSZKKJPO
— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) June 9, 2019
Ash Barty is a welcomed break from the self-serving, headline-seeking careers of tennis Australia’s greatest PR battles, but that’s not why we’re backing her. Ash Barty is a success story in her own right, with and without the childish theatrics of Tomic and Kyrgios.
From Humble Beginnings A Star Is Born
This little bubba, who dreamt big as a kid will play her first Grand Slam Final tonight at 11 pm (EST) when she takes on Marketa Vondrousova. SBS are airing live coverage of the match. Let’s go Ash Barty #champ ???❤️✊?#Indigenous #PROUD @ashbar96 #respect @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/7KOx4r8N5B
— Nova Peris OAM OLY MAICD (@NovaPeris) June 8, 2019
Just over a week ago, 23 year old Ash Barty became the first Australian woman since Margaret Court to win the French Open. This title represents decade’s worth of training and dedication to which her family, coach and arguably all of Australia are indisputably proud.
Growing up in Springfield, Queensland with her parents and two older sisters, Barty was born a gun on the court. Winning the 2011 junior Wimbledon championship title at just 15, Barty would soon become a tennis great – but not without killing it on the cricket pitch, first.
2011 marked Barty’s short break from tennis, where she went on to play for the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. Following on from her 2011 junior Wimbledon title, Barty took a short hiatus from tennis and the overwhelming pressure huge success naturally brings (especially for a teen).
Upon returning to the court in 2017, Barty’s world singles ranking jumped from 271 to 17 in just under a year. With mounting success, she soon ticked off her career goal to achieve a top-10 world ranking among winning a range of other titles before her magical Grand Slam title win at the French Open this earlier month.
A Proud Indigenous Australian
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I’m very proud of my Indigenous heritage and to be named as a National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador. Giving back to my community is very important to me and I hope to inspire many more Indigenous kids to get active and enjoy their tennis ??❤️
Barty is a proud Indigenous Australian and the role she plays in inspiring young Aboriginal Australians is extremely heartwarming. Echoing a similar prowess to fellow Indigenous Australian tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Barty routinely commemorates her predecessor for paving her way into tennis stardom. Barty is a National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador and dedicates much of her time to assisting Aboriginal children realise their potential – whether it’s with a racquet in hand, or not.
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— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) April 16, 2019
Congratulations @ashbar96!!! Making Australia proud!!! ❤️?? #RG19
— Cathy Freeman (@CathyFreeman) June 8, 2019
An Attitude Australians Can Actually Be Proud Of
Ash Barty emanates a kind of genuineness that’s often hard to find in competitive sport. Whether it the grace she brings to her media appearances, or genuine love for the sport, her fans and her competitors, Barty is an athlete Australia can finally be proud of. Among her achievements, Barty can proudly rest assured that Australia considers her attitude one of her greatest feats – and we’re oh so proud.
It’s Barty’s professionalism and grace that sets her in a league well above her male counterparts and whilst this is one of the reasons we’re celebrating her mounting success, it’s not the only one.
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— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) April 16, 2019
At a time when egos and self-interested professional sportsman are at an all time high, it’s a welcoming break to watch Ash Barty manage her growing success with such grace. Uhh, this girl has me cheering like a fangirl from the sidelines. Barty Party is at an all time high right now.
Image Sources: @ashbar96, @CathyFreeman, Ash Barty Instagram, Women’s Big Bash Facebook, @NovaPeris.