Serena Williams’ reaction to Ash Barty becoming world No.1 was an absolute disgrace, writes Sam Groth

Serena Williams hasn’t done for women’s tennis what Roger Federer has done for men’s. Her treatment of Ash Barty this week goes to show it’s all about Brand Williams and little else, writes SAM GROTH.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 02: Serena Williams of The United States celebrates in her Ladies' Singles first round match against Giulia Gatto-Monticone of Italy during Day two of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

• Wimbledon shock as big three snubbed

I thought Serena Williams’ reaction to Ash Barty becoming world No.1 last week was an absolute disgrace.

I don’t think what Ash has achieved in recent weeks has actually had the recognition it deserves from a lot of people, but as one of the biggest names in tennis, what Serena said was pretty shitty.

Claiming she didn’t know Ash was number one — I don’t care if it was a genuine error or not. In fact if it was genuine it’s actually worse.

Serena Williams has exposed herself as a selfish disgrace with her comments about our Ash Barty, says former Australian star Sam Groth. Picture: AP

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You’re the one of the most recognisable athletes on the planet and you can’t tell me who the number one player in your sport is? It’s disgraceful and not a good look for your sport.

Everyone wants to pump Ash up and rightly so but Serena going on about how nice she thinks Ash is? Her remarks were derogatory.

Talking about Ash as a nice person — which she is of course — but she’s the best tennis player in the world and you didn’t know it. She gave her no credit for the achievement.

Yeah, we got that on camera! 😁👍@CocoGauff meets @rogerfederer! pic.twitter.com/ir204b88f2

— WTA (@WTA) July 3, 2019

Ash Barty’s French Open triumph hasn’t been given the credit it deserves. Picture: Getty

Serena like Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and a handful of other big names have a responsibility to their sport to promote, grow and nurture their sport. She’s not done for the women’s game what others have done for the men’s.

It’s all about brand Serena not brand tennis.

She seems to have no idea about anything much that happens in the sport. I turned up to a tournament once and Andy Murray knew all my results from a challenger event in Asia. It was amazing.

You can promote your own self-interest as well as pump up your sport.

Roger Federer knows he has a responsibility to the sport of tennis. Picture: AP

But the good news in all this is how much of an opportunity is presents to Ash.

She eats sleeps and breaths sport and could be the person that takes women’s tennis to the next level. She could achieve what others before her have failed to do.

I’m not saying she will necessarily have the iconic stature of Serena but she can do for women’s tennis what Federer has done for men’s.

The bigger the sport that you’re the best player in is, the better profile and opportunity you’re going to have as well as legacy.

Not too long ago Ash was playing Big Bash cricket before it became the franchise it has become.

Now she is the No.1 tennis player in the world. It’s a remarkable story and one that brings with it hope, inspiration and plenty of lessons for others.

Ash Barty (L) carries herself with class at all times. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

FIVE LESSONS TO LEARN FROM ASH

GOOD PEOPLE

Ash is forever praising the work and unity of her team and you can’t underestimate the power of a solid network and ensuring they’re in it for the long haul. They play such a crucial role in consistency on and off court. Serena Williams has worked with Patrick Mouratoglou for years and years. Roger Federer has changed coaches over the years but they have been long term

Consistency is the big test for anyone to be the best in the world. Look at what’s happened to Osaka — wins two major and now it’s looking shaky. Ash has an awesome team that will protect her, Nick Kyrgios hasn’t had that around him for the majority of his career.

HAVE A BREAK

The break took Ash away from a limelight she was struggling to handle. Even though she was playing cricket it allowed her the change she needed. She wasn’t being scrutinised as an individual. Tennis it’s a very lonely world — it’s all on you that’s so hard to handle.

Time away also gave Ash time to find perspective on what was important. I had a break in my career and I learnt so much about myself and why I wanted to be playing, it gave me clarity on my goals, I think it did the same for Ash.

People also forget how young tennis players are. Ash is only 23 and she’s already had an extended break. Onlookers expect us to be 20 years old acting middle aged. We’re almost set up to disappoint. It’s not always easy at that age. Most people aren’t being scrutinised by millions every day at work. It was a crucial time for Ash to find herself — both as a person and an athlete.

Barty breezed through to the second round with a win over Saisai Zheng. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

HUMILITY

You don’t get to No 1 in the world — or even top 100 if you’re not passionate and competitive. But Ash is also humble and gracious — two qualities we love her for. Ash has a great self-awareness. Even if you are the most confident person to walk on a court and you think you will kill your opponent every match, you have to be humble about things — even if it’s not how you feel you have to behave in the correct way. You can be both sporting and competitive without coming across badly.

It’s easy to have confidence if you’re constantly told you’re the best but you only have to look at Federer and how he carries himself to see that it’s possible to remain grounded. Ash and Federer share a lot of qualities in that regard. You can be the best and still be humble.

ALWAYS A WAY BACK

Australia loves an underdog story and Australia loves a battler and Ash is a great example that there is always a way back. Some of the best stories in sport are comeback stories. We love champions that have come back from nothing or from the bottom.

Ash Barty’s story has captured Australia’s imagination. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Whether Ash stays at No.1 or not we will see but she will never go back to where she was before. There’s no reason now for Ash to ever think things are over — she’s proven in spectacular fashion that the comeback story is real.

PRESSURE POINTS

Ash knows she’s in a strange situation; a new grand slam winner and No 1 seed at Wimbledon it’s a pressure she’s not used to. She will draw on previous experiences to deal with this and think ‘right I’ve been here before and I’ve handled it’ I can get through this.’

I don’t think Ash feels as much pressure going into Wimbledon as others might in her position. After I had a career break I didn’t feel the pressure was the same — I’d learnt how to deal with it and Ash has done that too. You perceive pressure in a different way. You can slip back into old ways but the difference is you have the experience to draw on. That’s going to stand Ash in great stead.