Strange sight in Ash Barty’s blockbuster semi-final

There was an unusual sight early in Ash Barty’s semi-final blockbuster, confusing the tennis world in a bizarre outfit squabble.

Ash Barty and Sofia Kenin made it as difficult as possible for Australian Open fans on Thursday, when the pair walked out onto Rod Laver Arena for their semi-final blockbuster in near-identical outfits.

The pair were spotted in the same pale green singlet tops and vibrant blue skirts they have worn throughout the 2020 Australian Open — and didn’t feel the need to change anything about their ensembles even though their paths finally brought them together inside on Thursday with a spot in the women’s singles final on the line.

In a dream scenario for apparel sponsor Fila, Barty and Kenin also sported the same identical fluoro green sneakers. The only difference was Barty’s white hat and Kenin’s fluoro green visor.

The similar powerful, pocket-sized physiques of the two athletes didn’t make it any easier.

The outfit clash made for some testing moments for Aussie Open spectators.

Sofia Kenin and Australia's Ashleigh Barty had people seeing two.

Veteran New York Times tennis journalist Christopher Clarey even posted on Twitter that the sight of the two players in near identical threads should not be allowed — which is absolutely is under the current rules at all four grand slams.

“Old story but still worth complaining about,” Clarey wrote.

“Players should not be allowed to wear the same outfit for a big match like this. Makes it hard for the occasional tennis viewer to know who is who. Grand Slam semis should showcase stars and would-be stars not confuse the public.”

Old story but still worth complaining about. Players should not be allowed to wear the same outfit for a big match like this. Makes it hard for the occasional tennis viewer to know who is who. Grand Slam semis should showcase stars and would-be stars not confuse the public pic.twitter.com/23GC5RFUNj

— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 30, 2020

The outfit clash created a minefield for any casual tennis spectator trying cheer without truly realising which player they were actually cheering on.

It is far from a freak occurrence at this Aussie Open — Diego Schwartzman and Dusan Lojovic had the same problem in their third round match in red, white, and green Fila sponsored T-shirts.

Aussie Open fans are clearly not on board with the rule that has played out regularly at Melbourne Park in recent years.

Strap in for a cracking semi!#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/tzHJQ359wK

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2020

Barty and Kenin #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/DvzdKbOJLm

— Oliver McDowall (@olivermcdowall) January 30, 2020

Glad Ash has a white hat on because the same outfit was messing with me! Let's go Ash! #Barty #AusOpen

— Kara Johnson (@__KaraJohnson) January 30, 2020

As the lower ranked player Kenin should have worn the clash strip.#AusOpen

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) January 30, 2020

Meanwhile, Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous athlete, Cathy Freeman, said she is in awe of Ashleigh Barty on the morning of the blockbuster semi-final.

Barty’s barnstorming run to the competition’s semi-finals left her just two matches away from becoming the first Australian woman since Chris O’Neil in 1978 to win the Open on home soil.

Ash Barty was feeling the heat.

“I can confidently say on behalf of Aussies and particularly the Indigenous community we’re very proud of her,” Freeman said.

Freeman’s defining gold medal victory in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics proved an inspiration to young girls, athletes and the Indigenous community. Barty, a proud Ngaragu woman, is on the verge of making her own mark on the Australian sporting landscape.

“I think the impact that she can have on everybody but particularly young girls is quite profound,” Freeman said.

“Her achievements and her story will get onto the psyche and into the blood of so many young girls around not just Australia, but the world, it’s very cool.”

— with AAP