Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty ready for landmark moment in women’s final

Many Australians have been to hell and back in the past two years as Covid separated families and cost livelihoods. As Scott Gullan writes, Ash Barty is the tonic we all needed.

We have been here before and that worked out pretty well for all of Australia.

The weight of a nation on the shoulders of a young indigenous woman on the biggest stage in sport. Ring a bell.

Cathy Freeman’s victory in the 400m final at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 is a landmark in this country for many reasons.

On Saturday night, Ash Barty will be stepping into Freeman-like areas when she seeks to become the first Australian woman to win the Australian Open since 1978.

The expectation will be suffocating, just like it was for Freeman, as she is the hottest of favourites given the devastating lead-up form where she has barely been challenged.

Freeman had barely lost a race for three years coming into the Sydney final, Barty has won 20 sets in a row and only dropped one service game at the Open.

And the timing of her rise has a little bit extra to it. While a victory won’t have the same impact as Freeman, there are similarities.

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Ash Barty after her semi-final win over Madison Keys. Picture: Michael Klein

Cathy Freeman after winning gold in the Women's 400m at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. Picture: Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT

When Freeman lit the flame at the opening ceremony and then made a country proud by winning gold, it was a pivotal moment in the reconciliation of Australia.

For very different reasons Australia needs an injection of goodness right now.

Covid has brought everyone to their knees so being able to rise as one to salute an incredible female sports star is the tonic we all need.

Everything about Barty over the past fortnight has been on point and even the pre-match entertainment last night was following suit.

When the crowd piled into Rod Laver Arena for the semi-final, they were greeted by singer Kate Ceberano belting out a version of Alicia Keys’ Girl Is On Fire’.

Could you have had a more perfect song?

At this stage the roof was shut, it was dark and there seemed to be some smoke billowing around for effect with some disco lights.

While it was very un-Barty, the lyrics and the sentiment were very much on point.

By the time she arrived on her favourite court, Kate and her band of singers were gone and it was all down to business.

Keys had no answer for Barty on Thursday night. Picture: Michael Klein

And these days for Barty, that means destroying her opponent.

She broke Madison Keys in the opening game of the match and then started her service game with an ace.

Suddenly everything had a familiar feel about it and for Barty the humidity and the heat in the stadium reminded her of home in Brisbane which made her even happier.

“This is Brissy weather,” she said after the 6-1 6-3 demolition job in just 62 minutes.

“It’s unreal (to be here). Honestly, it’s just incredible. I mean, I love this tournament, I love coming out here and playing in Australia, and as an Aussie we’re exceptionally spoiled that we’re a Grand Slam nation.

“We get to play in our backyard, and I’m just happy that I get to play my best tennis here. I enjoy it, I’ve done well before and now we have a chance to play for a title. It’s unreal.”

The big question is, how will she celebrate?

Barty, 25, is not one to show much emotion on the court, in fact she almost looks like a robot at this year’s Open. She has a process and she sticks to it.

And rarely is the guard let down at any stage.

Is Ash Barty Australia’s most-popular athlete? Picture: Michael Klein

Even after she had toyed with Keys in the opening set and claimed it after 26 minutes with a brutal forehand down the line, Barty showed nothing.

There was no fist pump. The head went down and she just casually walked to her chair for a change of ends.

Maybe, she’s saving up something special for Saturday night. Will she let out a gut-wrenching scream? Will she collapse in the middle of the court? Will she do a dance?

Freeman famously slumped to the track after she crossed the finish line in Sydney, undid the zip of her hooded suit, took off her spikes and just sat there taking in the moment.

One thing for certain Barty wouldn’t have let her mind wander to think about any sort of celebration. She has to go through the process one more time. Process. Process. Process.

Freeman nailed her process perfectly, on all the available evidence Barty looks certain to do the same.

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty ready for landmark moment in women’s final