Ash Barty winning Wimbledon 2021 has silenced those who criticised her as No 1

Historic, iconic and unforgettable - Ash Barty lifting the Wimbledon trophy will forever be remembered as a ‘where were you moment’.

Australia's Ashleigh Barty poses with the winner's Venus Rosewater Dish trophy in front of the Ladies' Singles Winner's Board on the after winning her women's singles match against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova on the twelfth day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 10, 2021. (Photo by AELTC/Thomas Lovelock / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Ash Barty lifting the Wimbledon trophy will forever be one of those “where were you when” moments in Australian sport. Historic, iconic and unforgettable.

As with Cathy Freeman’s Olympic gold, Steve Bradbury doing the impossible or Shane Warne’s ball of the century, we will for years remember the night we all stayed up until the early hours to watch the unassuming girl from Ipswich fulfil her childhood dream and win on the Wimbledon grass.

The legacy Ash is creating is truly special. It was emotional – for her of course – but also for every single one of us watching.

These moments come around so rarely in sport, it’s what truly defines a champion.

The fact it happened at Wimbledon makes it just that little bit more special.

As a tennis player there is no higher accolade than Wimbledon. Yes there are three other slams but if you asked players past and present which they would want to win the most, this is the one.

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Ash Barty of Australia celebrates with the Venus Rosewater trophy

The All England Club is regarded as ‘the home of tennis’. As a kid you grow up – like Ash did – dreaming of one day winning Wimbledon.

It’s hard to put into words just how iconic Wimbledon is. Winning a grand slam is amazing, winning Wimbledon is next level.

As Aussies we have had so much success on the courts of SW19 which feature in the rich history of sport in this country. Wimbledon really is on another level of special.

I grew up hearing the stories of Rod Laver, John Newcombe and Evonne Goolagong Cawley, I watched Rusty win the title. Those memories stay with you.

And now a new era; so many young hopefuls will have watched Ash win. They will know her story. The comeback, the setbacks and the triumphs. She’s done more than win a grand slam; she has inspired a belief that everyone can achieve their dreams. She’s the ultimate role model for kids.

It’s powerful.

In winning, Barty has silenced her critics

The fact it was at Wimbledon a decade after she won the juniors title and 50 years after her own hero Cawley first won there, adds a fairytale element to the story.

Ash is the epitome of an Australian sporting champion. There’s nothing flash, arrogant or polarising about her; she’s humble and gracious. A true Aussie battler that gives things her all, never makes excuses and makes you proud she is representing you.

Etching her name into Wimbledon history also goes a long way in silencing her critics.

Since she won the French Open in 2019 the world has changed a considerable amount. Ash chose to travel less, stay home and do what was best for her – as she should. This move brought with it fierce criticism that she didn’t deserve the No 1 status and that she was a “one slam wonder”.

Barty is presented with the trophy by HRH Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge

No doubt this shuts them up once and for all.

You’ve won Wimbledon as the world No 1, that’s as big as it gets.

The big question for Ash moving forward is what is the new dream? It’s important she takes some time to celebrate, rest and absorb what she has just done, but equally, team Barty needs to establish a new goal.

Ash Barty with her Wimbledon trophy

Ash is only 25, all being well she could have more than a decade left in the game. Immediately she will represent Australia at the Olympics before heading to the US Open and finishing out the season.

Her form and consistency makes her the biggest threat on the WTA tour no doubt. Olympic gold and a third slam title is more than achievable in the coming months. But Ash must also ensure she takes the time to look after herself and her team. What sets Ash apart from so many on tour is that she knows what she needs for her wellbeing.

According to her dad she is expected on home ground towards the end of the year. And what a homecoming that will be.

That’s the time to reset and regroup because starting 2022 the expectation of the masses that she wins a home slam will sky-rocket.

Winning the Australian Open may well form part of the new ambition, ending another huge Aussie drought. That’s a whole new kind of pressure but if anyone has the right mentality to handle it, it’s Ash.