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Ash Barty hugging Casey Dellacqua, Evonne Goolagong Cawley makes Australia lose it

Australia went up as one at Ash Barty’s Australian Open triumph but an emotional hug and a surprise trophy presenter brought on the waterworks.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
3 min read
January 29, 2022 - 11:32PM
What incredible moments. Photo: Getty Images
What incredible moments. Photo: Getty Images

It’s been 44 years in the making but the Australian Open once again has an Australian champion as Ash Barty pulled off a magical fortnight of tennis.

Barty was on court for an average of a little over an hour per match and pulled off an epic second set comeback to go from 5-1 down to claim the 6-3 7-6 victory over American Danielle Collins.

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Letting out an epic scream after the win Barty ended the drought which reaches back to before the tournament was even at Melbourne Park when Chris O’Neil was the last Aussie winner in 1978.

After sealing her third grand slam title and first on home soil, there was just one person that Barty wanted to hug.

Was it her fiancee Garry Kissick? Or long-time coach Craig Tyzzer or anyone else in her player box?

No, it was Casey Dellacqua.

Barty and Dellacqua were long time doubles partners, making four grand slam finals together when the 15-year-old Barty joined one of Australia’s best players in Dellacqua.

What a moment for the pair. Photo by MICHAEL ERREY / AFP
What a moment for the pair. Photo by MICHAEL ERREY / AFP

But the emotional moments weren't over there as another of the people who had a big impact on Barty’s life was on had to present Barty with the trophy.

Goolagong Cawley has long been Barty’s mentor and idol, as she even paid tribute to the tennis legend with her 2020 Wimbledon outfit.

It was perfect that Goolagong Cawley was on hard to hand Barty the title.

Goolagong Cawley won the Australian Open three times in 1975, 1976 and 1977 without losing a set and Barty followed in her footsteps.

There was another special moment after the match with Barty, Goolagong-Cawley and Aussie sporting icon Cathy Freeman all posing together with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy.

As for Evonne being on hand to hand Barty the trophy, the champion said she had idea her mentor would be there.

“Hell of a surprise,” Barty said on Channel 9. “I do not quite know how Craig kept that secret. I am really glad I did not know. I think I would have been under the pump, feeling it.

“Danielle is an exceptional competitor forcing me to bring my best when my back was against the wall. Happy to be able to come through and to see Evonne Goolagong, I have not seen since this time last year so we have a few more hugs to celebrate. Unbelievable.”

With Cathy Freeman also in the crowd, Barty, as a proud Indigenous woman, said she was blown away by the support.

“Looking up at the end to see Cathy, she is an inspiration, and inspiration to so many people all around the globe,” she said. “For our heritage and family, she is just the best. To share that tonight with Evonne Goolagong and Cathy, I will never forget it.”

MELBOURNE. 29/01/2022. Australian Open Tennis. WomenÕs Final. Ash Barty vs Danielle Collins on Rod Laver Arena. Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong Cawley with the trophy. Photo by Michael Klein
MELBOURNE. 29/01/2022. Australian Open Tennis. WomenÕs Final. Ash Barty vs Danielle Collins on Rod Laver Arena. Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong Cawley with the trophy. Photo by Michael Klein

Barty’s emotional hug with Dellacqua came after a long friendship which started a decade ago.

Barty had been handed a wildcard in Brisbane after winning the 2011 girls Wimbledon title and was put together with Dellacqua after Nicole Pratt said suggested she “play with Case”, Barty told tennis.com.au in 2017.

The pair ousted the top seeds in the first round and made the semi-finals.

But it bloomed a wonderful friendship which has lasted into Dellacqua’s post-playing career and as Barty bloomed into the World No. 1 and grand slam force.

And it was perfect that she hugged Dellacqua, giving her close friend a kiss on the forehead after an emotional embrace.

Speaking after the trophy presentation, Dellacqua paid tribute to her great friend.

“She knows how proud I am of her,” Bellacqua said. “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 and I’m so grateful and lucky to have her.”

Barty reciprocated the feelings, saying she that she had to try not to look at Dellacqua, who was sitting courtside.

“Looking around trying to look everywhere but at Casey but knowing that if I needed anything, not even that there is anything to give other than the support and being there,” Barty said “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.”

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/ash-barty-hugging-casey-dellacqua-evonne-goolagong-cawley-makes-australia-lose-it/news-story/b9ba94403499935902677035e1d57130