Ash Barty: ‘The sacrifices my family made for me’
As she walks onto centre court at the 2021 Australian Open, the tennis ace reflects on the sisterly bond behind her success and the shared values that continue to guide her, win or lose.
Growing up it was instilled in us that no matter what happens in life – good bad or indifferent – your family is always there for you and in return, you’re always there for your sisters. As a young girl I loved having that bond and close relationship with my family. My parents put trust in us to be ourselves and to be unique to our own personalities, setting the foundation from a young age that this is the way the Barty girls are.
The best way to describe our childhood in Queensland was fun. It was a life spent playing outside. We had a nice age difference, too. Sara is five years older than me and Ali is three years, so we were always going through different phases: Sara in high school, Ali in middle school and me in primary. It felt like we were always chasing Sara and she was the older role model.
It was not just Mum and Dad who taught us the lessons we live by today, but the people we were surrounded by. We were encouraged to be respectful, passionate, to be loving and kind.
We were also taught to live by our every decision and, in every choice we made, to live with the consequences whether good or bad. It was amazing to have that trust and belief from your parents from such a young age. It puts oxygen into your lungs, makes you walk taller and fills you with confidence.
Sara and Ali were always sporty in their own right – they both played netball – and my parents are golfers so we were always very active. But it was once I started playing tennis when I was five that we spent a lot more time at tournaments on the weekends and hanging out at tennis clubs.
All three of us did lessons, but I was almost obsessive once I picked up a racket. I’d come home from lessons and continue to hit against a brick wall while Sara and Ali went inside to do schoolwork. I just couldn’t get enough of sport in general. I’d also muck around with the cricket bat in the backyard or be chipping around with the golf club … or even just sit on the couch with Dad watching different sports on TV, trying to be a sponge and soak up all I could from different athletes.
Sara and Ali have both made sacrifices for me along the journey, starting with when I was seven. Mum and Dad couldn’t afford to have all three of us playing tennis when I also wanted extra lessons on top of my regular ones, so my sisters gave up the sport so I could play more. The cost of me playing was huge once I started to travel overseas. We are certainly not a wealthy family and my parents always worked extremely hard in their careers to give us as much as possible. I know all three of us are grateful to them for what they gave us, but I’ll always be indebted to Sara and Ali, too. They opened doors at the start of my tennis career and have always encouraged me to chase my dreams even when I wasn’t playing. No matter where I am in the world or what time it is, I know they’re only a phone call away and they’ll always know exactly what to say in every moment to make me feel better.
As I’ve enjoyed success it’s been really incredible to have them travel overseas with me. Ali and her husband Nick stopped by Wimbledon a few years ago after a quick trip around Europe. It’s just one of the greatest places on earth, and for them to be able to watch and enjoy that with me was really special. Another time Sara tagged along with Mum and Dad to New York. I’ll never forget one moment when, even with thousands of people cheering in the crowd, I heard her say: “Come on, Ash”. Out of all the noise I picked up Sara’s voice.
It’s moments like this that I enjoy the most. Tennis aside, it’s about making memories on and off the court and sharing in my success. After every single match, when I walk off the court, my whole family is always in the corridor regardless of the result. Dad always gives me a kiss on the head and Mum gives me one on my cheek, then it’s straight for my sisters or one of my nieces or nephews.
At the moment being an aunty to three is my favourite job in the world. It was definitely the silver lining of 2020, spending nine or 10 months at home to watch them grow into little people. All I want to do is bring a smile to their faces, particularly my eldest niece Lucy, who is four and a half. She loves tennis and walked out with me during the Fed Cup final in 2019. Just as I was empowered as a child, I want her to be confident and to be passionate. I want her to love what she does and know that whatever she chooses to do in her life is perfect. It’s enough.
Looking to the future, I’m working towards that North Star and that tournament is still Wimbledon. I would love to be able to call myself an Olympian, too. I’ve missed out a few times by the skin of my teeth, so hopefully the pandemic doesn’t get in the way of that again this year. The Australian Open is always a fun one, because my whole family can come for a week or two. But it’s also about appreciating what I have right here, about trying to grow and develop for what could come in the future. And also enjoying it along the way – smelling the roses and sharing it with the people I love most. I think I’m in a very special position now with my family and with my team and if for whatever reason it all ended tomorrow, I would be more than okay with that. It’s a really nice place to be in, knowing that everything from now is very much a bonus.
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