It’s party time for Barty as Aussie creates magic at Wimbledon, ends 41-year wait for women’s singles trophy
Ashleigh Barty holds the trophy after winning the women's singles final match. AP
Gulf Today Report
Matching her role model’s feat was simply overwhelming. "I hope I made Evonne proud," Barty said on court after the trophy was presented.
It’s a golden moment for Ash Barty, truly. Fifty years ago, compatriot and role model Evonne Goolagong Cawley won her first Wimbledon women’s singles title.
Barty wore an outfit at Wimbledon that was a tribute to the dress Goolagong played in when she won the tournament for the first time in 1971. Goolagong had not worn a corset under dress throughout the tourney.
Goolagong had become the first mother in 66 years to win the Wimbledon title in 1980 since Britain's Dorothea Lambert Chambers lifted the crown in 1914 after giving birth to her child.
On Saturday, world number one Ash Barty ended the long wait after she trounced Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3 in the final.
It was a glorious moment for the 25-year-old Barty, who won her first Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2019.
Matching her icon’s achievement was simply overwhelming.
"I hope I made Evonne proud," Barty said on court after the trophy presentation. "This is incredible." She even wore a specially designed dress as a tribute to Goolagong.
Pliskova was totally at her wit’s end against the Australian's sharp serves and precision strokes but managed to get two service breaks back. But a third break of serve gave Barty the opening set.
After she won the match, the Australian got down on her knees and started crying profusely.
"She brought out the best of me today," Barty added.
"I didn't sleep last night... but I felt at home out on the court."
