Australia gushes over Barty’s Wimbledon win

SYDNEY: Fellow indigenous star Cathy Freeman and Australian tennis great Rod Laver led tributes Sunday to Ashleigh Barty after her breakthrough at Wimbledon, hailing her as inspirational.

The 25-year-old clinched her maiden crown at the All England Club by beating Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 on Saturday, adding to the French Open title she won in 2019.

Her victory came on the 50th anniversary of her “friend and mentor” Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s first triumph at Wimbledon.

She wore a dress inspired by the one Australian Cawley sported in the 1971 final and while the 69-year-old had no immediate reaction, Freeman said Barty had made indigenous people proud.

“Massive pride in our girl!,” tweeted Freeman, who famously lit the cauldron at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and then became the first Aboriginal Australian to win an individual gold medal in the 400 metres.

“Congratulations @ashbarty! We are all so very proud of you.”

Barty spoke with Cawley prior to The Championships and said she was a role model to her.

“I think she has been iconic in paving a way for young indigenous youth to believe in their dreams and to chase their dream,” said the world number one.

“She’s done exactly that for me as well. Her legacy off the court is incredible.”

Laver, the only player to win all four majors in the same season twice, noted it was “a wonderful follow up to Evonne’s win on the 50th anniversary”.