Tennis world no. 1 Ash Barty visits Uluru and Alice Springs for the first time

World No. 1 Ash Barty has switched out the roaring crowds of the Australian Open for the red dust of Uluru and Alice Springs. SEE THE PICTURES AND VIDEO.

WORLD No. 1 Ash Barty has switched out the roaring crowds of the Australian Open for the red dust of Uluru and Alice Springs.

The Grand Slam champion visited Central Australia last week in her role as Tennis Australia’s First Nations Ambassador.

Barty, a proud Ngarigo woman, witnessed the Rock for the first time and connected with members of the Muṯitjulu School and community.

“It’s really hard to put into words, just because it’s a feeling,” Barty said.

Ash Barty with her Australian Open cup in front of the rock. Picture: TENNIS AUSTRALIA

Ash Barty visits Mutitjulu school students in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Picture: TENNIS AUSTRALIA

“When you actually go to Uluru for the first time like I did, it was just an incredible experience for me to understand how much of a spiritual connection Uluru has for so many communities.

“But also as a child, as an Aboriginal girl growing up, it’s the heartbeat of our nation … being able to experience that first-hand is something I always wanted to do.

“To be able to allow myself, through my profession and through my career to have this opportunity was really special.”

The 25-year-old hit the courts with young players from Mutitjulu School as part of the Racquets and Red Dust program, with the iconic Uluru scenery as a backdrop.

The program aims to create sustainable tennis pathways for First Nations people to experience and try tennis, while also ensuring priority is placed on positive health, education and social outcomes.

Ash Barty had a hit with Mutitjulu school students in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Picture: TENNIS AUSTRALIA

Barty also visited Alice Springs, where young First Nations students from four schools including Braitling Primary, Gillen Primary, Our Lady of Sacred Heart and Living Waters Primary experienced a Racquets and Red Dust lesson.

“They are incredible athletes … they started playing tennis a couple of days ago and we were already having some rallies, which is just mind-blowing,” said Barty, who notes how tennis can provide an “incredible vehicle” to health, education and overall enhanced opportunities in life.

“I think it brings people together first and foremost. It allows people to feel safe in an environment,” she said.

“Of course, there’s the health and wellbeing attributes that come with being fit, being outdoors and I think the education also comes with the opportunity. It’s learning a new skill, it’s talking to people, it’s learning different ways of life, connecting with people that come from all walks of life.”

Ash Barty is greeted with a Welcome to Country by Arrernte Elder Aunty Kumalie in Alice Springs. Picture: TENNIS AUSTRALIA

The young champion said the energy drawn from her first visit to Central Australia will not be forgotten soon.

“We were in the heartbeat of our country, the heartbeat of our nation and for me to be there, I feel extremely fortunate and lucky to get to experience that,” she said.