Ash Barty, you’re a superstar: Glenn Maxwell, Isa Guha, congratulate the Australian Wimbledon champion
Wishes from the cricket community poured in to the newly-crowned Wimbledon women’s singles champion Ash Barty, who once tried her hand at professional cricket. Barry played 9 matches in the Big Bash League in the first edition of the Women’s T20 tournament in Australia in 2014 after a break from tennis. She even played in a List A match for Queensland before returning to tennis in 2016.
Ever since, Ash Barty has been a powerful presence on the women’s tour. After winning her maiden Grand Slam title in 2019 at Roland Garros, Ash Barty went on to end Australia’s 41-year-long wait for a women’s singles champion at Wimbledon on Saturday.
She emulated her idol, Evonne Goolagong, who claimed the second of her titles at the All England Club in 1980. In fact, it was on the 50th anniversary of Goolagong’s historic triumph that Barty emerged victorious at the All England Club.
Barty, ranked No. 1 on the WTA charts, defeated former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic in a pulsating women’s singles final. She overcame the 8th seed 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in a topsy battle in London.
Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was among the many who congratulated Ash Barty after her Wimbledon success. The likes of Tom Moody and Isha Guha also sent in their wishes to the former cricketer on social media.
“Ash Barty, you are a superstar!!!!” Maxwell wrote, sending hearts to the Wimbledon champion.
“Another big moment in Australian sporting history,” Isa Guha wrote, sharing a video of former Australia cricketer Mel Jones celebrating Ash Barty’s victory from the Center Court on Saturday.
“My favourite sporting person @ashbarty what a wonderful moment for Australian sport. #Wimbledon #Champion #BartyParty,” Tom Moody said in a social media post.
The Barty Party seems to have certainly started Down Under. Former World No. 1 Rod Laver congratulated Barty, highlighting that the former girl’s singles champion’s dream has come true at Wimbledon.
“So happy for you @ashbarty, your dream comes true and what a fight. Congratulations on your Wimbledon victory, I hope you and your team celebrate well along with your many fans around the world and back in Australia,” Rod Laver said.
Hope I made Evonne proud: Barty pays tribute to idol
Barty paid tribute to fellow indigenous Australian Goolagong. The two have remained friends for quite some time and the World No. 1 got emotional while addressing the former champion’s contributions.
“I hope I made Evonne proud,” Barty said on court after the trophy presentation. “This is incredible.”
The Australian slumped to her knees and broke into tears, saying later she was unable to remember what happened on match point.
“She brought out the best of me today,” Barty added.
“I was proud of myself that I could keep chipping away at the start of the third set. It took me a while to say I wanted to win this tournament, but it’s better than I ever imagined.
“I didn’t sleep last night … but I felt at home out on the court.”
