Newcombe Medal winner Ash Barty revs up for summer of tennis by winding down
There were no surprises when world No. 1 Ash Barty capped her incredible 2019 by winning the John Newcombe medal, but Barty’s unusual excuse for skipping practice raised some eyebrows.
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AshBarty couldn’t have even ended her world-beating year with a hit of tennis – even if she’d wanted to.
The world No. 1 had given away all her racquets.
Barty, 23, completed a three-peat of Newcombe Medal victories on Monday night after a year that included the French Open title, tennis’ biggest cash prize at the WTA Finals and the year-end top ranking.
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But she has been forced into a layoff from the court in recent weeks – including a trip to Hamilton Island – which she said had provided the perfect foundation to launch into 2020.
“It was nice to have a couple of weeks off – I gave all my racquets away so it was nice to not have any racquets,” she said.
“None that I could pick up, none that I could touch – it was nice to have some time away from the sport, which I needed just to be able to refresh.
“I love playing in Australia, I love the Australian summer and I’m really looking forward to trying to do well there and to try and give myself the best chance … have a really good preparation over the next four or five weeks and then come into the summer and give it a red hot crack.”
Barty said she had given the racquets to members of the Fed Cup team staff, including team captain Alicia Molik.
“I know that they still hit balls and it’s nice to see a few of my frames floating around,” she said.
An emotional Barty said “her heart race” when she thought about her parents Robert and Josie telling her that they “love to watch you play”.
“It kind of gives me the jitters a little bit,” she beamed, also crediting performance coach Ben Crowe and coach Craig Tyzzer.
“It’s been an incredible year and it was really nice to be able to have them here to share it with them.”
Tyzzer — who has worked with Barty since her 2016 return to tennis after a sojourn playing cricket — was also honoured for coaching excellence performance.
Australian tennis legend John Newcombe presented Barty, 23, with the award which comes just weeks after she was anointed the 2019 winner of The Don Award as the athlete who most inspired the nation.
Newcombe said the entire country should be proud of the young superstar.
“It’s a great feeling for all of Australia (to have a No. 1) – we’re so proud of what she’s been able to achieve this year,” he said.
“She represents what Australia loves in a sportsperson. Great fighting qualities, she’s a good sport on the court and she’s humble about the whole thing.”
Stosur said she was happy to share the record of three Newcombe Medals with her Australian teammate.
“For us to be able to celebrate and be part of it as Australian tennis is very nice,” she said.
“She absolutely deserves everything that’s coming her way, so it’s nice to be able to celebrate tennis as a whole but really what she’s been able to achieve this year as an individual is incredible.”
Barty is just the second Australian tennis player to win a trio of the prestigious individual honour, with Fed Cup teammate Samantha Stosur the only other.
Stosur, 35, was recognised with the Spirit of Tennis award, a decade after claiming the first Newcombe Medal.
The former world No. 1’s long-time former coach David Taylor described Stosur as “a terrific role model” whose leadership and professionalism had led to an incredible impact on Australian tennis.
“Sam has genuinely remained unchanged and unaffected by all her success,” Taylor said.
“I cannot recall a single training session in the almost eight years we spent together where she did not give 100 per cent.
“It’s a testament to Sam’s character that she has enjoyed longevity at the pinnacle of the game. A multiple grand slam champion, Sam joins the ranks of Australian tennis greats and is a terrific role model for any aspiring player.”
Alcott was saluted as the Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability after claiming the wheelchair quad singles at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
Western Australian Talia Gibson and Sydney’s Rinky Hijikata were recognised as female and male junior athlete of the year respectively.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Newcombe Medal
Ashleigh Barty
Coaching Excellence Club
Yvonne Fantin (West Lalor Tennis Club, (Vic)
Coaching Excellence Development
Tate Roberts (Brixton Tennis, WA)
Coaching Excellence Performance
Craig Tyzzer (Vic)
Excellence in Officiating
Brian Grace (Vic)
Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Talia Gibson (WA)
Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Rinky Hijikata (NSW)
Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Dylan Alcott (Vic)
Most Outstanding Australian Ranking Tournament
2019 North Beach Junior Classic (WA)
Most Outstanding Club
Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club (ACT)
Most Outstanding Professional Tournament
City of Playford Tennis International (SA)
Most Outstanding School
Elizabeth North Primary School (SA)
Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior
Pat Moloney (ACT)
Volunteer Achievement Award
Darren Wunderer (Henley South Tennis Club, SA)