Ash Barty and team celebrate her famous French Open victory with a couple of beers — and a week off
There were no speeches, just some good eating, a few drinks and good fun. The morning after capturing her first grand slam title, Ash Barty revealed how she celebrated — and what’s next.
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With barely any sleep, Ashleigh Barty has returned to the scene of her greatest triumph to savour French Open glory.
Drawing gasps from spectators as she posed in front of Roland Garros’ distinctive red clay photo wall, Barty grinned broadly as the world’s media clamoured for time with the sport’s new queen.
Wearing a black cocktail dress, high-heel shoes and carrying the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, Barty admitted she was only now starting to believe she had won a major.
The #BartyParty is still raging in Paris. The morning after @ashbar96 conquered #RG19, our new grand slam champ is showing off the silverware to the world's tennis media.
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) June 9, 2019
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“It’s now starting to sink in and it will stay in my mind forever,” she said.
Barty, 23, returned to her Boulogne Billancourt hotel about 2am, having celebrated groundbreaking victory in typically casual style — with beers, steak, pasta and no speeches.
Hours after sweeping to grand slam immortality, Barty and six of her closest allies revelled in the Queenslander’s amazing rise at an Italian restaurant near Roland Garros.
“It was a great evening, just those closest to me,” she said. “Beers, steaks, pasta. No speeches, just fun.”
Still coming to terms with the enormity of her feat, Barty paid tribute to her team led by coach Craig Tyzzer, manager Nikki Mathias, Andrew Roberts, Melanie Omizzolo, Mark Taylor and Darren McMurtrie.
The new world No 2 returned to Court Philippe-Chatrier for the traditional champions’ photo, after grabbing only a few hours’ sleep following the biggest day of her career.
She is due to fly out of Paris today to reunite with her parents Rob and Josie, who are staying with relatives in England.
After a day or two off — including a round of golf at the famed Belfry course — Barty will start preparations for the British grass-court season.
And she will soon catch up with her partner and emerging golfer Gary Kissick.
Barty’s incredible achievement to end Australia’s 46-year title drought at Roland Garros is even more remarkable for the fact she walked away from tennis in 2014.
Worn down by the demands of the tour, the former prodigy ventured into cricket — and immediately starred.
She said that decision was pivotal to her climb to No 2 in the world, after returning to tennis three years ago ranked No 623.
“I never closed any doors, saying, ‘I’m never playing tennis again’,” she said.
“For me, I needed time to step away, to live a normal life, because this tennis life certainly isn’t normal. I think I needed time to grow as a person, to mature.
“I left all of my options open. I think it was just a natural progression for me coming back to tennis.
“I was still involved in tennis every single day, working with Jim (Joyce), my coach. We were coaching every day.
“I was still hitting balls, just not for myself.
“Certainly it’s always been a big part of my life. Tennis will always be a big part of my life.”
Barty said while she enjoyed playing cricket for the Brisbane Heat, she missed “the one-on-one battle, the ebbs and the flows, the emotions you get from winning and losing matches.”
“They are so unique and you can only get them when you’re playing (tennis) and when you put yourself out on the line and when you become vulnerable and try and do things that no one thinks of,” she said.
Barty said her celebrations were for “for myself and my team.”
“I’m not the only person out here. I have an extraordinary group of people around me,” she said.
“I love working with them every single day, day in, day out. They’re with me at the hardest times of my life, and they’re with me in some of the most amazing times.
“I think, for us, it’s a celebration of the journey we have been on for the last three years.”
Now one of the favourites to win Wimbledon next month, Barty says her 21 months away from tennis delivered “a new perspective in my life and in my career.”
“It’s brought this new belief, I suppose, and this feeling of belonging at the very top level,” she said.
“I feel like I’m playing some really good tennis. I know when I play my best tennis, I can match it against the world’s best.”
HOW ASH CELEBRATED LAST NIGHT
Barty’s immediate reward for French Open glory, apart from $3.5 million and the world’s No 2 ranking, was typically simple — a couple of beers and the promise of a week off.
The freshly minted grand slam champion celebrated the biggest title of her career by downing beers in the player restaurant with coach Craig Tyzzer, manager Nikki Craig and strength and conditioning coach Mark “Tubby” Taylor.
“The last time I tried those beers (Kronenbourg 1664), it was after losing the doubles final here with Casey (Dellacqua),” Barty grinned.
“They taste better this time.”
The Queenslander spent hours at Roland Garros doing the obligatory media rounds before heading out for dinner with her support staff — flanked by two security guards.
Still in disbelief after “a perfect match”, Barty will return to the tournament site after a night of celebration for the traditional champions’ photo.
Deluged by congratulatory messages from her parents, sisters and boyfriend Gary Kissick and peers, Barty struggled to comprehend she’d actually claimed a major title.
“It’s incredible and I’m speechless,” she said.
“It’s remarkable. At the moment it’s a bit too much and a bit out there, really.
“But it’s amazing. I mean, we have done the work, and we tried to put ourselves in these positions. Now that we’re here, it’s just incredible.
“For the last fortnight, the stars have aligned for me. I have been able to play really good tennis when I’ve needed it.
“This is just incredible. I never dreamt that I’d be sitting here with this trophy here at the French Open. I mean, obviously we have dreams and goals as children, but this is incredible.”
Barty, 23, revealed she kept focus throughout the 6-1 6-3 hammering of Czech Marketa Vondrousova with a simple message.
“I just kept saying to myself, ‘I may never get this opportunity ever again, so try and grab it with both hands’,” she said.
“I felt like for me it was the perfect tennis match, considering the situation, the conditions, and kind of all of the above. It was amazing.”
Barty has withdrawn from Nature Valley Open in Nottingham this week, trading racquets for golf clubs.
“She’s a bit wrecked,” Tyzzer said.
“We’re going to play a bit of golf and do nothing at all.
“She was pretty tired after yesterday both mentally and physically.
“She’s earned a break.”
Barty will fly to England on Sunday to reunite with her parents Rob and Josie.
A stickler for routine and a lack of fuss, Barty said she had never considered asking them to fly in for the biggest match of her life.
“I know they (her parents) are living through every single point with me and every single ride with me,” she said.
“But for the sake of my routine and my performance, I would love to have had them here but from the start of the tournament, not turning up for the finals.
“I know they’re watching.
“But they flew in and only landed an hour or two (in England) before we actually went on the court.
“So there was no physical possibility they could get to Paris.
“I will see them tomorrow. You know, obviously give them a big hug and a big kiss. It will be really nice to see them again, because it’s been a few weeks.”
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