Ash Barty’s emotional tribute to long-time friend and mentor melts hearts

Australian tennis icon Ash Barty has shared a heartfelt tribute to a “friend and mentor” following an Australian Open special ceremony.

Australian tennis icon Ash Barty has shared a heartfelt tribute to a “friend and mentor” following an Australian Open special ceremony.

Barty took to Instagram to show love for tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley after she was honoured at Melbourne Park.

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Ahead of the women’s semi-final on Thursday night, a special ceremony took place to mark 50 years since her Australian Open title in 1974.

It was also announced that from 2025 the annual celebration of First Nations culture at the tournament will be known as Evonne Goolagong Cawley day.

Barty has a longstanding relationship with Cawley and showed the love with a heartfelt post on her Instagram account.

“A friend, mentor, icon and absolute legend. What an incredible person you are, Evonne,” Barty wrote on Instagram alongside several photos of the two.

“A special year celebrating the 50th anniversary of your first AO win, but an even greater appreciation and acknowledgment of your entire career with the renaming of a very special day — Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day.

“I cherish our relationship every single day. And I will always be your biggest fan.”

Cawley presented Barty with the trophy after her AO win in 2022. Photo by Michael Klein

The pair have a long relationship.

The comments section was riddled with fans praising Barty’s post and loving the photos of the iconic Indigenous athletes.

“Omg. 3 amazing women who put Australia on the world sporting scene,” one user wrote.

A second added: “Three incredible women whom our country are so proud of.”

A third wrote: “What a line up of legends. That last photo is just beautiful! Look at all the pride in your faces. Proud, humble and grounded women.”

Another wrote: “Fantastic women. You all made the country come together. We are all very proud of you all and everything you all did in your sporting careers.”

Cawley, Barty and Freeman. Instagram: Ash Barty

Barty broke hearts when she announced she has no plans on making a comeback to the tennis court.

Barty’s abrupt exit from the sport two years ago at the age of 25 while she was a dominant world No. 1 left Australia in shock, with many hopeful she would eventually return to the tour.

Despite missing some aspects of tennis, especially the camaraderie with fellow players, Barty is content with her current life off the court.

She said she misses seeing her friends on the tour, but many of her close mates have retired.

The three-time major winner is currently focused on her foundation, which she launched alongside tennis legends Evonne Goolagong and Pat Rafter in Melbourne.

She said there is nothing preventing her from returning to tennis, but being a mother is her primary focus and the role she loves the most.