MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 30, 2022 (by Michael Dickens)
Ashleigh Barty gave the Australian Open the champion it had been craving – a homegrown one – who is now a Grand Slam champion on clay, grass and hard court. It took 44 years for the magic moment to happen in Melbourne. Hopefully, it won’t be another 44 years before the next time.
Three and counting…#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/RQylJqW47i
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Saturday’s Australian Open women’s singles final will be remembered as one for the ages. The No. 1-ranked Barty defeated American Danielle Collins, seeded 27th, 6-3, 7-6 (2) to become the first Australian winner of an Australian Open singles title since unheralded Chris O’Neil in 1978.
🇦🇺 @ashbarty secured a thrilling victory over Danielle Collins to secure her maiden #AusOpen title.
Check out the highlights from Saturday’s final 👀#AO2022 • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/c64833XXyl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022
Indeed, Australia’s nearly-five-decade drought is finally over. Not only did Rod Laver Arena nearly fill to the brim – allowing 80 percent capacity inside the stadium – there were plenty of Australian royalty from sports and entertainment among the in-crowd, including tennis legends Rod Laver and Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who presented Barty with the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Cup trophy for winning the Australian Open women’s title; past Olympic heroes Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe; and actors Russell Crowe and Saoirse Ronan. O’Neil, now 65, helped deliver the winner’s trophy to the center court before the match.
A stage like no other 🏟️#AusOpen • #AO2022 • #AOTennis pic.twitter.com/qlXbnmUocj
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Forever the competitor, Barty fought back from 1-5 down in the second set and drew even to force a tie break. Then, Barty unleashed everything she had in her arsenal: her pinpoint-accurate first serves, her backhand slices, and topspin forehands. Soon, Barty won the match – and the title – with a forehand passing shot winner. Then, she let out a uncharacteristic, big roar in celebration of the magic moment as the crowd rose to their feet in applauding their new champion.
Champion roar 🦁#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/SrcCo4vAgu
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Quickly, Barty embraced her former doubles partner and lifelong friend Casey Dellacqua, who was at courtside for Australian TV. It was Barty’s first pro doubles partner who played an important role in her journey into (and out of, and back into) tennis. Barty gave Dellacqua a forehead kiss before returning to accept and soak up the plaudits of the cheering crowd.
“To my team … wow,” Barty remarked during the trophy ceremony. “I’m so lucky tonight to have so many people here who love and support me. Pretty bloody special that my mum, dad and my sisters are here. Pretty rapt that they could come down here today. I’m an incredibly lucky girl to have so much love in my corner.”
Hey mum and dad, she did it!
Family feelings 🥰#AusOpen • #AO2022• #AOInterview pic.twitter.com/HAevY7pdhQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Soon after, appearing on Australia’s Channel 9, Barty and Dellacqua shared a beer together on live television. Barty remarked: “Case changed my life. She brought me into this sport again and allowed me to grow as a person. I love her.”
Later, during her press conference, Barty spoke at length on Australia’s tennis heritage.
“As Aussies, we’re exceptionally lucky to be a Grand Slam nation,” she said. “To get to experience to play at home is really special, and to be here as a champion of the tournament is really exciting.
“We’re extremely lucky to have the tennis history and the rich history that we do, particularly here at the Australian Open. But across all Grand Slams, we’ve had champions that have stemmed back years and years and years, and have really set the platform for us to come through and try and do what we do and try and create our own path.
The best surprise for Ash? Evonne ❤️#AusOpen • #AO2022• #AOInterview pic.twitter.com/9sPDeziKIy
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
“I think there are a few that are closer to home for me. Obviously, more of their stories I’ve been more invested in just because I know them more as a person. Those people that come to mind, Pat Rafter and Evonne, in the way that they handled themselves on the court – for me, there’s just no one better. Recently, you’ve had Dylan [Alcott], Sam [Stosur], who are really able to just enjoy the experience and bring so many different people to tennis, bring so many different walks of life to this beautiful sport that we play.
“I think I’m a very, very small part of that. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing myself, but to be a very small part of an amazing history in tennis as an Australian is really, really neat.”
44 years 🇦🇺💙#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/S4QzxmD7lM
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Craig Tyzzer: Points of view from Barty’s coach
Australian Craig Tyzzer, who coaches Ashleigh Barty, spoke to the media following the trophy ceremony Saturday and shared some keen insights.
“There’s still areas we continue to work on still, she’s got to get better at. I’m not gonna tell you what they are, because that’s giving away a few too many secrets. But there’s still room for improvement,” Tyzzer said.
“If you haven’t practiced it enough now, you’re probably not going to get that right.”
Ash Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer breaks down what makes the World No.1 so tough to beat.
Coach’s Corner: https://t.co/hWfviusNY9#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/84d9caKMyy
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 28, 2022
“I think what she’s done really well is just that she’s enjoyed it. She’s been really composed and enjoyed playing. Tonight, we knew what the challenges were going to be, like Danielle can just blow you off the court at times. So, she was looking forward to that challenge. OK, how do I figure out how to beat this girl who can just hit you into the corners and hurt you every time you drop it short?
“I think for her that’s the best part. She’s enjoying playing, enjoying the challenges. There are still areas we’ll work on with her game. I probably don’t have to do too much with her serve now. It seems to be working really well. But you’re always looking for areas to get better.”
Warm wishes and congratulations pour in for Barty
Hall of Fame legends Rod Laver, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova along with current stars Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek were among many in the tennis community – past and present – who shared their congratulations on social media. Among the tributes:
A Grand Slam champion on three different surfaces, you are the complete player @AshBarty and I am so happy for you tonight. There’s nothing like winning at home, congratulations #AO2022 champion, it is wonderful to be here for this moment and to celebrate with Australia. 🚀
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) January 29, 2022
World No. 1 Ash Barty has just become the 1st Australian to win an #AusOpen singles title since Chris O’Neil’s win in 1978.
What a special day for Australia! 🇦🇺
Congratulations, @ashbarty! #AusOpen2022 https://t.co/ENiq4eJrPb
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 29, 2022
Congrats to @ashbarty for her spectacular performance over the two weeks to break the Aussie drought in the @AustralianOpen !!!
Well done Champ! https://t.co/hZh09hdz4l— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 29, 2022
There is just no better tennis player at the moment than @ashbarty
Most complete and focused! The way she is able to put pieces together and add a bit more to her game is absolutely admirable! What an example!
Congrats champ to you and all your team ❤️
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) January 29, 2022
Huge congrats to my friend @ashbarty 🏆
Amazing performance! Sooo happy to see you with that trophy ❤️#ausopen
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 29, 2022
👏👏 Congratulations @ashbarty
Mate (am I Aussie now?😎) …what a run, I’m happy for you and your team!— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) January 29, 2022
New WTA Top 10 rankings after the Australian Open
As the WTA takes a respite before resurfacing next month in St. Petersburg, Russia, the week of Feb. 7, the new Top 10 rankings post-Australian Open have a lot of familiar names and one new name, Danielle Collins, who made a big splash Down Under.
Ashleigh Barty remains ranked No. 1 followed by: Aryna Sabalenka, Barbora Krejcikova, Iga Swiatek and Karolina Pliskova in the first five. They are followed by Paula Badosa, Garbiñe Muguruza, Maria Sakkari, Anett Kontaveit and Collins.
Collins climbed 30 places from No. 30 into the Top 10 for the first time and she becomes the highest-ranked American for the first time, too.
WTA Top 10 after the Australian Open
1 Barty AUS
2 Sabalenka BLR
3 Krejcikova CZE
4 Swiatek POL
5 Pliskova CZE
6 Badosa ESP
7 Muguruza ESP
8 Sakkari GRE
9 Kontaveit EST
10 Collins USACollins into the top 10 for the first time and the highest ranked American for the first time pic.twitter.com/AEnnOC43DM
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) January 29, 2022
Of particular note and interest, last year’s champion, Naomi Osaka, who lost in the third round, surrendered 1,870 points and dropped to No. 85. Meanwhile, 2017 Australian Open champion and 23-time major title winner Serena Williams, who has been idle since retiring from her first-round match at Wimbledon due to injury, has dropped to No. 246. She’s now the 33rd-ranked American.
By the numbers
The only active players who have won Grand Slams on hard courts, clay and grass are: Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty.
1978 Australian Open Final:
🇦🇺Chris O’Neil d. 🇺🇸 Betsy Nagelsen 63 76
2022 Australian Open Final:
🇦🇺Ashleigh Barty d. 🇺🇸 Danielle Collins 63 76#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/5c6CCtx9KA— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 29, 2022
“Quotable …”
“I think I went in with the right game plan. I did, again, everything I could, but unfortunately there were some things that were just not working for me. That’s really hard technically, if you’re not in a good place physically, to be able to get yourself to do those things.
“Today, my body wasn’t always agreeing with me, and I was in a little bit of a fight with my body, which is expected when. You go this far in a tournament … But I’m just trying to stick with the process and do the best that I can. I’m learning a lot of things along the way. Ash certainly taught me a lot of things on court.”
– Danielle Collins of the United States, from her post-match press conference following Saturday evening’s Australian Open women’s singles final.