On Saturday, Australian Open champion Ashleigh Barty upset Grand Slam final debutante Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6 to become the first home winner since 1978.
Throughout the tournament, the world No. 1 was totally dominant and won a historic title without losing a set.
The last Australian Open champion to hail from Australia was Chris O’Neil, who won the tournament in 1976 after a four-decade drought.
For the third time in her career, Barty has won a Grand Slam tournament, this time in the Australian Open, making her the most dominant player in women’s tennis.
Speaking after the match, Barty said that the love she got from fans was overwhelming. She adds that she is happy for having a chance to share in the joy of the whole match with people who are all about love.
Ashleigh Barty. Photo/New York Times
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“I’ve said numerous times I’m so lucky tonight to have numerous people here that love and support me.
“I’m a fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner, we started together right from the start. We did it all together, nobody has changed from our team. I love you to death,” she said.
“As an Aussie the most important part of this tournament is being able to share it with so many people and the crowd, you have been nothing short of exceptional.”
Thanking the crowd, Barty said it was the best-ever she has had and it gives her a lot of joy. She remarks that it is her fans who motivated her to play such a stellar game in the Australian Open finals of the Women’s singles.
Playing such a game was a dream come true for Barty; it makes her proud to be an Australian.
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In the first few minutes of the match, neither Barty nor Collins showed any indications of nervousness. They exchanged some blistering shots.
In some instances, Barty found herself unable to contain Collins’ signature backhand on Rod Laver, which flew through the court at full speed.
While her opponent was able to preserve an early breakpoint, Barty retaliated with a 181km/h ace to the delight of the spectators on her own serve.
Early on, the partisan home crowd was clearly demonstrating their support for Barty, roaring every time he scored a point.
As a result, they were given something to cheer about in Collins’ third service game. It was marred by several wayward groundstrokes and a crazy double fault.
As Barty reeled off two more holds of service in the blink of an eye, the home favorite won the first set in a matter of seconds.
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Despite her tendency to show her emotions on the court, the American had so far kept her emotions under wraps during the most significant moment of her career.
However, Barty began to struggle with her opponent’s strong shots in the second set, which seemed to have a bit more sting to them.
Collins took the lead for the first time in the match when Barty made two unusual blunders in her opening serve game of the set.
Ashleigh Barty. Photo/Indian Express
Collins’ shout was the only sound to be heard in the Rod Laver Arena. She yelled, “Come on!” as she pounded her fist against the side of her box.
A dramatic shift in momentum had taken place throughout the first set, with Collins suddenly taking control of nearly every rally.
A few people in the crowd had started yelling before the points were completed, which prompted the umpire to issue a warning to the spectators.
A set that appeared to be going Collins’ way 20 minutes ago became a slugfest when Barty held serve to even the match at 5-5.
However, Collins must have been hoping that those first serves had come to a few games earlier in the set to put the tie break in play.
It was party time on Rod Laver after Barty raced out to a 4-0 lead in the tie break and never looked like losing it from there.
After 44 years, Australia has a Grand Slam singles champion for the first time in decades.
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