Historic Grand Slam title
Barty’s terrific race to catch up to the big win
01/29/2022, 11:40 am
Australia can look forward to the first major tennis singles triumph at the Australian Open in more than five decades: Ashleigh Barty won the title in the women’s competition after a magnificent comeback. The next ceremony will be in the doubles final.
Ashleigh Barty has become the first Australian tennis player to win the Australian Open since 1978. The number one in the world won the changeable final in Melbourne 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 2) against the American surprise finalist Danielle Collins. With that, Barty withstood the pressure of expectations and ended the 44-year waiting period of the sports-mad Australians. Despite being 5-1 down in the second set, the 25-year-old was able to celebrate after the tie-break.
“Wow,” said Barty euphorically and beaming when she accepted the coveted trophy, thanking her team and family in the audience: “This is just a dream of mine that came true. I’m just so proud to be a to be Aussie.” At 9:12 p.m. local time, Barty cried out loud when she converted the first of her four match points with a forehand pass. She hugged her old doubles partner Casey Dellacqua tightly. Cheers also broke out in front of the big screen in Melbourne Park.
“Celebrating a Big Night for Ash”
Collins missed her first Grand Slam title in her first major final the day before the men’s final between Spanish 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner Rafael Nadal and Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev. “It was huge to see Ash climb the rankings all the way to number one and live her dreams. I admire you for the player you are,” said the American. “Now it’s time, a big night to celebrate for Ash.”
For Barty, everything was done on an unusually cool evening in the Australian summer for these two Grand Slam weeks: Australian tennis icon Rod Laver was among the guests of honor, as was Chris O’Neil, who was the last Australian at the Australian Open in 1978 won and brought the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to the court during the atmospheric show. The last Australian winner in the men’s event was Mark Edmondson, who defeated his compatriot John Newcombe in 1976.
From the start, the spectators in the well-filled Rod Laver Arena conveyed that they wanted to carry their hopefuls to the title. The “Ash” cheers for the world number one, who made unusual mistakes, rang out tirelessly. The serve in particular helped her find the match. Collins continued her quirk of not sitting down during breaks.
At 2:2 Collins had the first chance to break, but Barty bravely fended it off with a forehand to the line. The tension seemed to melt away from the audience as well. At least Collins didn’t show any nervousness. Then the Grand Slam final debutant helped with a double fault on Barty’s first breakball. The Australian got the break to make it 4: 2, but didn’t celebrate after winning the set.
Intercepted just before the target
The final act of the women’s tournament was a finale of contrasts. It was to be expected that the top seeded Barty would reach the final. The question was whether it lives up to the burden of expectations. On the world rankings-30. and Collins, seeded 27th, would hardly have been seeded by anyone. In addition, on the one hand there was Barty, who is only 1.66 meters tall and shines with her broad repertoire. On the other hand, the force of the 1.78 meter tall American. And she brought herself more and more into play through her emotions, dominated the second set with her aggressiveness for a long time and pulled away 5:1.
On the other hand, Barty, the first Australian Open finalist since Wendy Turnbull in 1980, did not seem to give security. Losing the first set in the entire tournament was imminent, but Barty fought back to make it 5:5 – and was there in the tie-break. For Barty it is the third Grand Slam title after winning the French Open in 2019 and winning Wimbledon last year. She can look forward to prize money of around 1.8 million euros.
The local tennis fans can definitely celebrate in the doubles final as well: With Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios and Max Purcell and Mathew Ebden, only Australians are on the court.