On Saturday, Barty, the first Australian woman recovered from 5-1 down in the second set to beat Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-2 (2) in the final ending a 44-year drought from Australian women at their home Grand Slam tournament.
Since Wendy Turnbull in 1980, Barty is the first homegrown player to reach the final. The 25-year-old Australian has made a remarkable comeback after taking time off, she missed every Grand Slam event for two years in 2015 and 2016, and thought of a cricketing career after losing in the first round at three majors in 2014.
Barty said, “This is just a dream come true for me. I am just so proud to be an Aussie”. She further thanked her coach and support team saying that she feels extremely fortunate and lucky to have so much love in her life. Now, Barty has won a Grand Slam singles title on three surfaces: grass at Wimbledon last year, clay at this year’s French Open, and hard court at Melbourne Park. In addition to Serena Williams, she is the only active women’s tennis player who has won majors on all three surfaces.
