Ash Barty becomes Australian legend Hall of Famer with Wimbledon victory

Ashleigh Barty beat Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 to win the women’s singles title at Wimbledon, cemented her status as a great Australian sports legend and probably won it inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The 25-year-old Australian only needed 28 minutes to win the first set convincingly – winning the game’s first 14 points. However, 29-year-old Pliskova struggled to come back by winning the tiebreaker 7-4 in the next set.

In the deciding set, Barty broke up early to keep the game in check, winning his second Grand Slam title of his career after winning the Roland Garros singles title in 2019. Winning two major singles titles is usually enough for that a player wins induction honors into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

“It was the most incredible feeling I have ever had on a tennis court,” said Barty, who became the first Australian to hold the Venus Rosewater Dish in 41 years. “There was certainly disbelief. I think I have worked so hard my entire career with my team and with the people who mean the most to me in trying to achieve my goals and dreams. Being able to do that today was amazing.

Pliskova, playing her second Grand Slam final as Barty, again failed in her quest for a Grand Slam title. But the big hitter said she was proud of herself for finding a way to fight back.

Pliskova admitted it was “a horrible start” as she lost the first 14 points in a row at the start of the game. “That’s why I’m more proud of how I find a way to come back to this game. I mean, not really close to winning, but it was a set after.

About five weeks ago, Barty withdrew from the second round at Roland Garros due to a hip injury.

“In a way, it was a two-month injury,” she said. “Being able to play here at Wimbledon was nothing short of a miracle.”