Aussie surf star’s ‘wholesome’ Ash Barty tribute is perfect

Three-time grand slam champ Ash Barty has already inspired a whole generation of Aussie tennis stars but her reach goes well beyond the court.

Aussie Isabella Nichols has opened up on how tennis champion Ash Barty has inspired her in her career.

The 24-year-old Aussie claimed the second heat of the day ahead of fellow Aussie Bronte Macaulay and Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy at the MEO Pro Portugal.

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It was a strong performance from Nichols, who claimed the result to move straight through to the next round.

But on the back of the surfers jerseys, along with their number, was the name of a woman who has inspired them ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.

While Nichols showed her jersey, she was not the only one who claimed Barty as an inspiration.

Fellow Aussies Molly Picklum and Macaulay also had Barty’s name emblazoned on their backs.

Aussie stars Sally Fitzgibbons had Olympic swim star Emma McKeon, Steph Gilmore had Aussie world champion and surfing pioneer Phyllis O’Donnell, Tyler Wright had US basketball star Sue Bird.

Isabella Nichols with the Barty love. Photo: Fox Sports

Bronte Macaulay also had Barty. Photo: Fox Sports

The Aussie men also had the likes of Cathy Freeman in the case of Morgan Cibilic, Ryan Callinan and Alfonso Antunes had Gilmour, and Jackson Baker had Tyler Wright.

Surfers in Portugal are using names of women that inspired them. @KanoaIgarashi for example using @naomiosaka’s name, Jake Marshal going with @serenawilliams! Three different Australian surfers paying tribute to @ashbarty and two Brazilians to the great Maria Bueno! pic.twitter.com/FYQy14laSP

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 3, 2022

But when speaking to the WSL broadcast partners, Nichols gave a brilliant response as to why Barty has become such an inspiration for Australians.

“There are so many women I think I could have picked but right now, Ash Barty is just an incredible athlete,” Nichols said. “She’s inspiring so many young kids, not just females in Australia right now.

“To watch her just go an absolute tear, it’s pretty inspiration to watch someone from such humble beginnings to put in the effort, put in the time and do so bloody well. The whole of Australia is behind her and I’ve got her on my back now because I think she’s an incredible, not just athlete, but person.

“I don’t know her personally but just from talking to other people and seeing her presence in the media, I feel like she portrays herself really well and she’s a great inspiration for everyone.”

Isabella Nichols with the Barty love. Photo: Fox Sports

ABC’s Jack Snape responded to the clip, writing: “This tribute to Ash Barty by Australian surfer Isabella Nichols overnight is the most wholesome content you’ll see today. Who would like to see @ashbarty pay her a visit?”

After that tribute, it has to happen.

It was a brilliant response about the three-time grand slam tennis star who is transcending her sport in Australia.

Barty, who claimed her maiden Wimbledon title in 2021 and first Australian Open in 2022, shared her victory with fellow Indigenous icons Cathy Freeman and Evonne Goolagong-Cawley after the Melbourne Park victory.

The tennis champion has announced an extended break from the WTA tour however, revealing she would sit out the Tour’s US swing.

Australian tennis player, Ash Barty, visits Uluru with the Australian Open trophy. Source – https://twitter.com/TennisAustralia

But Barty hasn’t been sitting on her hands either visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where Barty played tennis with young kids.

“There wasn’t one kid, there wasn’t one parent, there wasn’t one elder that wasn’t smiling and enjoying it,” Barty said. “And I think that’s what lights me up the most — is at that moment, I know that all of us, we’re never going to forget it. And, I think that was a lot of fun.”

Barty also wrote on Instagram, “I’ve never been so proud to be a Ngarigo woman.”