Ash Barty Australian Open champion: Final against Danielle Collins breaks TV records

A record TV audience tuned in to watch Ash Barty make Australian Open history as her incredible run to glory united the nation.

Australians love a party almost as much as we love a winner.

And so it proved on Saturday night when a record average of 3.577 million people tuned in to watch Ash Barty defeat Danielle Collins, making it the most-watched Australian Open women’s final ever.

The final had a peak audience of more than four million viewers, who watched Barty overcome a 5-1 deficit in the second set to clinch a straight sets victory and end Australia’s long drought on home soil.

The touching trophy presentation featuring Barty and tennis legend Evonne Goolagong was watched by 3.982 million Aussies.

Cheers from one Aussie champ to another 🍻

📸: @DylanAlcottpic.twitter.com/3Wjpsyh9qr

— wta (@WTA) January 29, 2022

Millions of Australians tuned in to watch Ash Barty’s Australian Open final.

GET ON THE BEERS: HOW THE BARTY PARTY STARTED

Emma Greenwood

Ash Barty has paid tribute to former doubles partner and great mate Casey Dellacqua for “changing my life” after inspiring the tennis comeback that has her positioned as one of the modern greats.

Dellacqua, who was commentating courtside on Saturday night, was the first person to congratulate Barty on her Australian Open title after the champion called her out of the media bleachers at Rod Laver Arena.

Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >

The pair shared an emotional embrace, with Barty later reflecting on how her great mate brought her back into the tennis fold.

Taking what she was adamant would be a permanent break from the sport, Barty was encouraged to take the court for a hit with Dellacqua in a move that led to her comeback.

Time to get on the beers, Ash.

“Casey, she changed my life. She brought me into the sport again. And allowed me to explore, to grow as a person, and I love her,” Barty said.

The comeback has gone to a new level over the past six months, with Barty’s Wimbledon and Australian Open titles giving her majors on three different surfaces – with Serena Williams the only other active player to match that feat.

The success of Barty 2.0 was set up partly by her doubles partnership with Dellacqua, which started when the Queenslander was just 15.

The pair played in three grand slam doubles final together and remain extremely close, with Barty planting a kiss on Dellacqua’s forehead after they shared their courtside embrace and saying there was no one she would prefer to be sitting directly across the court from her in arguably the biggest moment of her career.

Dellacqua though, says she is the one lucky to have Barty as a mate.

She knows how proud I am of her,” Dellacqua said.

Ash made a beeline for best mate Casey Dellacqua. Picture: David Caird

“Everybody thinks I have done a lot but I cannot explain what Ash has done for me.

“We are so lucky and blessed to have each other. I do not take that for granted for one minute and I am so proud of her. She is a bloody legend. And she is a great friend.”

The pair kicked off Barty’s post-match celebrations too, cracking beers with Alicia Molik and Channel 9 host James Bracey as the champ started a long round of post-match media commitments.

“I am a Corona girl,” Barty said as Bracey passed the ales around, in a move that should earn her an immediate sponsorship – or at least supplies for celebrations.

But she wasn’t about to forget the mates that helped her get there.

“I’m not drinking alone.”

A special moment with Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Picture: Getty Images