Ash Barty Becomes the First Aussie Woman to Win Wimbledon in 41 Years

We're so proud.

Over the weekend, Aussie tennis legend Ash Barty made sporting history by becoming the first Australian woman to take out the Wimbledon title in London in over 40 years.

Her win against Karolína Plíšková on Saturday is a significant moment both for Aussie sports players and First Nations Australians.

She becomes the second Indigenous woman to win Wimbledon after Evonne Goolagong Crawley’s win exactly 50 years ago, occurring during the last few days of NAIDOC week.

Honestly, the stars just aligned for this one.

“We’re both very proud. I’m a Wiradjuri woman from NSW and she’s a very proud Aboriginal also, and so what a way to celebrate, not just my 50 years since I won there but it was NAIDOC week and it was very important,” Goolagong Crawley said.

Barty got choked up in her Centre Court speech and later explained what it meant to her to be compared to Goolagong Crawley.

"It was the most incredible feeling I think I've ever experienced on a tennis court," Barty told reporters.

"Evonne is a very special person in my life. I think she has been iconic in paving a way for young Indigenous youth to believe in their dreams and to chase their dreams.

"I think being able to share that with her and share some pretty special victories now with her, to be able to create my own path is really incredible, really exciting."

Barty celebrated her win by exclaiming that she hoped she made Goolagong Crawley proud, and in response, Goolagong Crawley heart-warmingly confirmed her wishes.

"Oh, she certainly did," the former world number one said.

"She made me proud from the first time I saw Ash. She must have been about 13.”

Goolagong Crawley explained that she got emotional during Barty’s triumph, saying that it was overwhelming to watch the young athlete compete at the top of her game.

"Because everyone reacts differently when they win Wimbledon for the first time," she said.

"It didn't hit me till later on because you actually turn numb. You're in shock, just as Ash was at the end there.

"We were just so excited. Dreams do come true."

In a passionate gesture to her idol, Barty sported a Fila dress inspired by Goolagong Crawley’s 1971 Wimbledon outfit, showing how truly inspirational both players are.

The impossible dream.

Inspired by Evonne Goolagong Cawley's legacy, today @AshBarty could follow in her idol's footsteps...#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/vbL9UGof17

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2021

During the exciting match, Barty started out strong finishing the first set 6 – 3, then had a few wobbles during the second set at 6 – 7 but managed to come back and take out the top spot on 6 – 3 in the final set.

If you thought things couldn’t get anymore emotional, on Sunday arvo, Barty’s family released a video of their reaction to their daughter and sister taking out the top spot, and boy is it a tear-jerker.

Among countless @AshBarty supporters there are none more special than these ones.

See how the world's No.1s family watched and celebrated her Wimbledon-winning moment 🙌🍾#Wimbledon #GoAussies #GoAsh pic.twitter.com/hGiH85spqy

— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 11, 2021

Barty wasn’t the only Aussie star to take home a trophy this weekend either. Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott claimed his second Wimbledon quad wheelchair singles championship after a straight-sets defeat against Sam Schroder.

Alcott came out 6 – 2, 6 – 2, now adding Wimbledon to the Aussie and French Open titles that he had previously won earlier in the year.

Finals day 💪🏼💪🏼 @wimbledon 💚💜 pic.twitter.com/QMqZuWZupN

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) July 10, 2021

Australian politicians and celebrities came out in droves to celebrate both champion’s victories.

You’ve got to love this imagery - @ashbarty has lifted the whole country up, not just the #Wimbledon trophy #BartyParty 🎾 https://t.co/gwgZcS78GO

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 10, 2021

Ohhh yeahhhh @DylanAlcott. You’re awesome. Congrats. https://t.co/vb2pvazm5Z

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) July 11, 2021

ASSSSSSSSHHHHBAAAARRRTYYYYYYYY!!!

— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) July 10, 2021

Not only do both victories bring pride to Aussie sporting fans and Indigenous Australians all over the country, but they’re powerful in their inspiration to the next generation of sporting stars soon to grace the court.

Header Image: Twitter (@tennisaustralia)