The Australian’s clever outlook has taken her to the cusp of emulating Evonne Goolagong Cawley in her inaugural Wimbledon final
In October last year, Ash Barty walked up onto a makeshift stage on the MCG turf and presented the AFL premiership cup to the captain and coach of Richmond Football Club, the team she has supported all her life. Tennis seemed a world away.
Nine months on, having successfully returned to the Tour after Covid-19 heavily disrupted the 2020 season and saw her miss several tournaments – including the defence of her French Open title – the world No 1 stands on the brink of a second grand slam title.
