Ash Barty is hoping to win the ladies’ singles finals at Wimbledon just as her friend and mentor Evonne Goolagong did just over 40 years ago, writes Alan Attwood. | OPINION
Nineteen-eighty was a wonderful year to be young and living in London. I saw The Who live at the Rainbow Theatre, The Clash at the Hammersmith Palais, Evonne Goolagong play Chris Evert in the ladies’ singles final at Wimbledon.
But that afternoon Goolagong flowed around the court like a burbling brook, conjuring delicate drop-shots and deftly angled passing shots. She pulled off backhand overhead winners as if she were flicking away flies. Almost 29, she became the first mother to win at Wimbledon in 66 years. They have something else in common: they enjoy the game. Not everyone does. Andre Agassi declared he hated tennis “with a dark and secret passion”. Rafael Nadal scowls. Andy Murray grimaces. Naomi Osaka has taken time-out to deal with her demons. Barty, meanwhile, has been saying how much fun she’s having and how lucky she is to be playing, especially with the world as it is.
She is the antithesis of the Ugly Aussie . And after wretched reports of abuse in swimming and gymnastics, this is a positive women’s sports story.But only half a dozen years ago the idea of Ash Barty contesting a Wimbledon final would have seemed improbable, even though she won the junior title in 2011 when just 15. Despite some subsequent success – runner-up in three Grand Slam doubles tournaments while still a teenager – she lost her way and her love of the game.
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