Australian Open: Ashleigh Barty defeats Danielle Collins to win women’s singles title in Melbourne
Ashleigh Barty made history on Saturday by becoming the first Australian woman to win the year’s first Grand Slam in 44 years.
The world No 1 ended decades of hurt with a memorable victory, recovering from 5-1 down in the second set to clinch a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) victory over first-time major finalist Danielle Collins and claim her third Grand Slam title.
Victory for Barty saw her become the first homegrown player to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup since Chris O’Neil in 1978 as well as becoming the only active player other than Serena Williams to have won major titles on three different surfaces.
Barty now just needs the US Open to complete a career Grand Slam having won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon last summer.
Fittingly, she received the trophy from her mentor, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who won the title four times in the 1970s.
Barty said: “First and foremost, I have to say congratulations to Danielle and your team. I know you’ll be fighting for many more of these in the future.
“To my team, wow. I said numerous times I’m so lucky to have so many people here that love and support me. We started right together from the start in the second part of my career. I love you guys to death, you’re the absolute best in the business.
“As an Aussie, the most important part of the tournament is being able to share it with so many people. This crowd is one of the most fun I’ve ever played in front of.
“You brought so much joy, you relaxed me and forced me to play my best tennis. This is just a dream come true for me and I am so proud to be an Aussie.”
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Barty, rarely overcome by emotion, shouted with delight when she clinched the title with a cross-court forehand winner.
Virtually everyone inside Rod Laver Arena jumped to their feet, roaring their approval, many with camera phones in their hand to capture a long-awaited moment for the nation’s sports fans.
The world number one’s relief at overcoming the burden of history and expectation was clear.
Barty clenched both fists as she dropped to her haunches, before running over to the side where she beckoned former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, now a television analyst, on to court for a warm hug.
After reaching the Melbourne semi-finals in 2020, with quarter-final defeats coming in the years either side, Barty finally landed the prize she really wanted.
The 25-year-old Queenslander had dropped only 21 games on her way to the final and, although the second set looked to have got away from her at two breaks down, she regained her composure brilliantly to turn the match back in her favour.
Victory continued her supreme form in 2022, and she has now won all 11 of her singles matches this year.
After beating three top-20 players to win the Adelaide International title, she has continued that dominance in Melbourne.
Barty, who took a break from tennis in 2014 to pursue a professional cricket career, has often paid tribute to Dellacqua’s influence on her success and the kiss on her friend’s forehead indicated her gratitude.
There was another special moment for Barty – and the home fans – when the player’s idol, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, came on to court to present her with the Daphne Akhurst trophy.
Since O’Neil’s triumph in 1978, four players – Kim Warwick, Wendy Turnbull, Pat Cash and Lleyton Hewitt – had lost in the men’s or women’s singles final.
There had been home success in the wheelchair and quad events, through David Hall and Dylan Alcott, and in the doubles events.
