Ash Barty completes incredible comeback to tennis with Newcombe Medal

ASHLEIGH Barty has capped off a stunning season by securing the Newcombe Medal as Australian tennis’ best-performed player in 2017.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27: 2017 John Newcombe medallist Ashleigh Barty enjoys the atmposphere with her boyfriend Garry Kissick at the 2017 Newcombe Medal at Crown Palladium on November 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

ASHLEIGH Barty has paid emotional tribute to doubles partner Casey Dellacqua and coach Craig Tyzzer after securing the Newcombe Medal as Australian tennis’ best-performed player in 2017.

The Queenslander also lauded fitness guru Narelle Sibte after upstaging fellow nominees Daria Gavrilova, John Peers, Jordan Thompson and Nick Kyrgios to win her first ‘Newk.’

Barty started an epic season outside the top 300 before soaring to No.17 — as the nation’s top-ranked player — in a phenomenal return to the sport.

Disillusioned, the 21-year-old took an 18-month break from tennis in 2014 and played cricket for Brisbane Heat.

She said Dellacqua was instrumental in her re-emergence.

Ashleigh Barty shares a laugh with boyfriend Garry Kissick at the awards.

“She’s my best mate but I don’t think she quite understands how much of a massive impact she’s had on my on life,” Barty said.

“Bringing me back into the sport to be honest, she started the ball rolling again to finish unfinished business in doubles.

“Case is my best friend, my mum on tour, my shoulder to cry on through many times and she helped me through my darkest days.”

Barty said Tyzzer, who won the coaching excellence award for high performance, had also been pivotal.

“Starting with the boss, ‘Tyzze’, what we’ve been able to achieve this year is pretty amazing,” she said.

“Starting from zero last year and 18 months later we’re here. We made it, we sort of did it.

“It’s been a really special year.”

Sibte was also hailed for her contribution.

“I did absolutely nothing in my 18 months off and didn’t help me out a lot last year,” Barty said.

Ash Barty with her parents Robert and Josie at the Newcombe Medal awards night.

“Narelle has been a massive part of that.”

After resuming, primarily in doubles last year, the junior Wimbledon winner flourished this season and won both singles and doubles at the Malaysian Open.

That surge was part of a sustained burst of excellence for Barty, whose understated coach Tyzzer is finally getting overdue recognition.

Since the medal was inaugurated seven years ago, Sam Stosur (2010-12), Lleyton Hewitt (2013), Kyrgios (2014), Sam Groth (2015) and Dylan Alcott (2016) have triumphed.

But there has not been a more popular winner than the effervescent Barty, whose sublime skill could eventually see her win one of the majors, most likely Wimbledon.

Her absence from the sport triggered plenty of questions at all levels of tennis.

Her second, and most productive, stint has delivered nothing but joy.

Archie Graham picked up the most outstanding athlete with a disability.

By reaching the Wuhan and Birmingham finals, Barty showcased her quality with victories over top-10 players Garbine Muguruza, Johanna Konta, Karolina Pliskova and Jelena Ostapenko.

A highlight of the evening’s celebrations was the presentation of the Spirit of Tennis Award to the former Victorian Premier John Cain who was instrumental in the development of the Melbourne Park precinct.

Alex De Minaur was named male junior athlete of the year for the second year in a row, while Destanee Aiava collected female junior athlete of the year.

Archie Graham was awarded the most outstanding athlete with a disability.

THE AWARD WINNERS

Newcombe Medal: Ashleigh Barty

Spirit of Tennis: John Cain

Coaching excellence high performance: Craig Tyzzer

Coaching excellence club: Helen Rice

Coaching excellence talent development: Luke Bourgeois (Homebush, NSW)

Female junior athlete of the year: Destanee Aiava

Male junior athlete of the year: Alex De Minaur

Most outstanding athlete with a disability: Archie Graham

Volunteer achievement award: James Edwards

Most outstanding 35+ tennis senior: Ros Balodis

Excellence in officiating: Emma Walter

Most outstanding club: Boroondara Tennis Centre

Most outstanding Australian ranking tournament: Melbourne Wheelchair Tennis Open 2017

Most outstanding professional tournament: Mildura Grand Tennis International 2017

Most outstanding school: Riverton Primary School