Ash Barty’s parents reveal where they hope to watch her play in the French Open final in Europe

Ash Barty’s parents have revealed where they are expecting to see her play in the French Open women’s final, as they also told of how they always knew she was destined the top of her game.

Exclusive: Ash Barty was destined to reach a grand slam final, her proud parents say.

Robert and Josie Barty, who made a dash to Europe for the game, said they knew it was only a matter of time before their daughter would reach the pinnacle of tennis.

Ash Barty is due to battle it out for a shot at the French Open title on centre court at Roland Garros tonight against unseeded Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova, with first serve from 11pm Sydney time.

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Australia's Ashleigh Barty returns the ball to Amanda Anisimova of the US during their women's singles semi-final match. Picture: AFP

“Absolutely. Ash has always had incredible natural talent and when she started playing with Jim Joyce as a young girl we knew she had something special,” Mr Barty said.

“Over the last three years Ash has worked hard to get to this position and deserves every success that comes her way.”

The 23-year-old’s parents were flying to Europe when she won her nail biting semi-final.

But Mr Barty said that any success on the court could not match their pride that Josie and her sisters Sara and Ali had in the way that she had reached the top.

Ashleigh Barty when she was just 15 with her proud Mum and Dad Josie and Robert at the airport. Picture: Tim Marsden

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“Josie, Sara, Ali and I are so proud of Ash. Her tennis achievements are obvious but we are most proud of the way she conducts herself, in tennis and in life,” Mr Barty said.

“The way Ash treats her family, her friends, her team and anyone around her is a reflection of what a wonderful girl she is.”

Ash’s parents were planning to watch the final from the UK at the home of her mother’s English aunt and uncle.

Barty said after her semi-final win she was planning to “embrace” and have “fun” in last night’s final, where she had the chance to become only the fourth Australian woman to win a French title.

The Queenslander’s boyfriend, golfer Garry Kissick, posted a picture on Instagram of her semi-final win, with the message: “Unbelievable babe!!! 1 to go.”

Ash Barty poses with dad Robert and mum Josie. Picture: Getty

Barty’s Instagram page has also been flooded with support this week.

Melbourne footballer and Channel 7 commentator Daisy Pearce wrote: “Dominating Ash and making all Aussie’s proud.”

Tigers’ legend Matthew Richardson wrote: “So awesome”, while Brooke Cotchin, wife of Richmond captain Trent, said: “So, so good.”

Australian Open champion Dylan Alcott wrote: “Queen of the dirt.”

Barty, an indigenous athlete, would be the first Australian to win a Grand Slam since Samantha Stosur took out the US Open in 2011 if she won last night.

Barty has had the support of former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua to bring her back to the game.

She had an 18-month break from tennis after making the US Open in 2014 without needing a wildcard.

Ash Barty in the Pat Rafter Arena. Picture: Annette Dew

The indigenous athlete switched to cricket, playing with the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League.

But she returned to the game in 2016 in some minor tournaments, finishing ranked 325 in the world.

She broke through the following year, finishing with a singles rank of 17 and doubles rank of 11.

Barty held her form in 2018, finishing the year ranked 15 in singles and seven in doubles.

But she has had an outstanding start to 2019, reaching the quarterfinals in the Australia open before bowing out to Petra Kvitova.

Australia's Ashleigh Barty returns the ball to Amanda Anisimova of the US during their women's singles semi-final match on day 13 of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open. Picture: AFP

Barty was guaranteed a minimum $1.8 million payday, no matter the result of last night’s match.

She will also reach world number 3, the highest Australian female ranking in 34 years.

Mr Barty has previously told the Courier Mail that his daughter’s break from the game had given her a new lease of life.

“It’s made a huge difference, Ash having that time away. It’s allowed her to be a kid again,’’ Mr Barty said.

“She’d been playing tennis internationally since she was 13 basically. She just needed to get way from the spotlight and spend some time with her sisters and family in general.’’

But now the spotlight is firmly on Barty, with bookmakers starting her favourite for last night’s match against Vondrousova, who was ranked 38 in the world.

Originally published as Ash Barty’s parents reveal where they hope to watch her play in the French Open final in Europe