Ashleigh Barty wins her first Australian Open

(Melbourne) She did it! Ashleigh Barty finally won “her” Australian Open on Saturday, beating American Danielle Collins to become queen in her country, she who had reigned over the world of tennis since 2019.

“It’s a dream come true, I’m so proud to be Australian! “Launched the 25-year-old player, lifting the trophy presented by her idol Evonne Goolagong.

“As an Australian, the most important thing in this tournament is to be able to share with so many people and you, the public, you have been simply exceptional”, added the world No.1, after beating Collins ( 30^and) 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).

This match will have been the most complicated for Barty who had swallowed the previous rounds by outclassing his opponents.

A break point saved in the first set, then one – the only one played – materialized and there she is leading a set to zero after 32 minutes. The so decided “Danimal” Collins seems to have to be eaten with the same Australian sauce as the others.

Except that, true to herself, the American does not let go.

“More aggressive”

And taking advantage of a slight drop in Barty’s level – a few more unforced errors, double faults – she takes her face-off twice in the second set. In six games so far, the Australian had only conceded her service game once, to Amanda Anisimova in 8^are of final.

Was the pressure of the long-awaited victory going to crack Barty? No ! The Australian came back to 5-5 and the two players came to the tiebreaker.

“I just tried to be more aggressive. From 5-1, I tried to regain the upper hand and control of the court,” explained Barty, who ultimately did not lose a set during the tournament.

She clearly dominated the decisive game, pushed by the crowd of the Rod Laver court, and thus won her third major title after Roland-Garros in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021.

She had been waiting for this title in her national Major since her debut on the circuit in 2014. The Australian people had dreamed of it for 44 years and the title of Chris O’Neil in 1978.

“Put my hands on the trophy”

” It’s incredible. Several times we have come close, but to put my hands on this beautiful trophy after an exceptional tournament is simply incredible”, commented the Australian who, as usual, uses the “we” in preference to the “I” to encompass his entire team, starting with his coach Craig Tyzzer, nicknamed “Tyzz”.

She was participating in her 9^are Australian Open where she reached the semi-finals in 2020 and the quarter-finals in 2021.

“For me, the important thing is not so much the trophies as the memories, the memories that we forge on the way” which leads to the trophies, she insisted.

On her triumphal route, she defeated four Americans in quick succession: Amanda Anisimova in 8^andJessica Pegula in the quarter, Madison Keys in the semi and Collins in the final.

She had dominated the same at Roland-Garros in 2019: Pegula at 1^er tower, Collins at 2^andKeys in quarter and Anisimova in half.

“My deepest congratulations to Ash for his great tournament and these great seasons,” commented Collins, who is recovering from endometriosis surgery last year. She will enter the top 10 worldwide Monday.

“Your way of playing and the variety of your shots…I hope to add some to my own game,” added the American, who relies on aggression and ball speed.

Barty also becomes the only active player with Serena Williams to have won Majors on all surfaces (hard, grass and clay).

The men’s final between the Russian Daniil Medvedev (2^and) and Spaniard Rafael Nadal (5^and) is scheduled for Sunday evening, not before 7:30 p.m. local time.