Barty says ‘dream come true’ to win first Australian Open title

Ash Barty of Australia in action againstJessica Pegula of the U.S. during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open on Tuesday. [AP]

World number one Ash Barty said her dream came true after she ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a home winner at the Australian Open by beating American Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6(2) in the final yesterday.

Barty staved off a fightback from Collins to pick up her third Grand Slam title, thus becoming the first Australian to win the event since Chris O’Neil captured the women’s title in 1978.

O’Neil was present in the stands cheering as the crowd on the flooodlit Rod Laver Arena erupted when Barty converted her first match point with a forehand crosscourt winner.

“This is a dream come true for me, and I am so proud to be an Aussie,” said Barty, who also won the 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon titles.

“As an Aussie, the most important part of this tournament is to be able to share it with so many people and you guys in the crowd have been nothing short of exceptional. “I have said numerous times, I am so lucky to have so many people here that love and support me... I am an incredibly fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner.”

The 25-year-old Barty becomes the second active female player to claim major titles on all three surfaces, alongside 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.

“This crowd is one of the most fun I have played in front of... You relax me, force me to play my best tennis,” Barty said of the crowd on the floodlit Rod Laver Arena.