Barty breaks 44-year hoodoo to win Australian Open
SuperSport
An imperious Ashleigh Barty said it was a dream come true after becoming the first Australian to win her home Grand Slam in 44 years on Saturday, but the memories made along the way were more important than the trophy.
The world number one was 5-1 down in the second set against fearless American Danielle Collins but came storming back to win on a tiebreak and sweep past the 27th seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) and be crowned Australian Open champion.
It was a third Slam title for the 25-year-old after her breakthrough French Open success in 2019 and Wimbledon last year, joining Serena Williams as the only active players to win majors on all three surfaces.
Dream come true
"It's a dream come true for me and I'm just so proud to be an Aussie," Barty said.
"It's an incredible, time and time again we've come so close and now to have my hands on such a beautiful trophy after an exceptional fortnight is just unbelievable. But for me it's about the memories more than the trophies; it's the memories we make from the whole journey," she added.
"We [her team] often talk about it being this incredible journey, this great adventure. It's about making those things happen along the way and really enjoying it."
Barty achieved the feat with Christine O'Neil, the last Australian man or woman to win an Australian Open singles, watching in the stadium.
An imperious Ashleigh Barty said it was a dream come true after becoming the first Australian to win her home Grand Slam in 44 years on Saturday, but the memories made along the way were more important than the trophy.
The world number one was 5-1 down in the second set against fearless American Danielle Collins but came storming back to win on a tiebreak and sweep past the 27th seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) and be crowned Australian Open champion.
It was a third Slam title for the 25-year-old after her breakthrough French Open success in 2019 and Wimbledon last year, joining Serena Williams as the only active players to win majors on all three surfaces.
Dream come true
"It's a dream come true for me and I'm just so proud to be an Aussie," Barty said.
"It's an incredible, time and time again we've come so close and now to have my hands on such a beautiful trophy after an exceptional fortnight is just unbelievable. But for me it's about the memories more than the trophies; it's the memories we make from the whole journey," she added.
"We [her team] often talk about it being this incredible journey, this great adventure. It's about making those things happen along the way and really enjoying it."
Barty achieved the feat with Christine O'Neil, the last Australian man or woman to win an Australian Open singles, watching in the stadium.
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