2022 would be a year to remember and forever be etched in Australian sports history. A proud moment for all Australians around the world when Ash Barty became the first Australian to win the Australian Open since Chris O’Neil in 1978.
This Australian Open really needed Ashleigh Barty’s humble sensation. Despite only winning her second Adelaide International championship in three years earlier this month, Barty had an amazing run at the Australian Open, winning in every match in straight sets.
Barty has now won Grand Slam singles titles on three different surfaces, including the hardcourt at Melbourne Park, grass at Wimbledon last year, and clay at the 2019 French Open. She and Serena Williams are the only active women’s tour players who have won majors on all three surfaces.
“This is just a dream come true for me,” the 25-year-old Barty said. “I’m just so proud to be an Aussie.”
Ash Barty, whose grandmother was part of the indigenous Ngaragu people, is the second First Nations woman to win the trophy since Evonne Goolagong Cawley did so from 1974 to 1977.
In one of her interviews, Barty said “I’m a very proud Indigenous woman, I love to celebrate my heritage, it’s what connects me to all of you here today.”
Aboriginal-Art.com.au joins Australia and the whole world in celebrating a great character, a humble individual, and an overwhelmingly likable star.
Ashleigh Barty.
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Aboriginal-Art is a philanthropic arm of efunder Pty Limited with an initiative to raise funds to support a variety of causes for the Aboriginal communities in the Western Desert.
Judy Corak
Chairperson
Co-Founder of Efunder and Aboriginal-Art