If the Tigers win the grand final, Ash Barty will present the premiership cup

Ash Barty is thrilled to have been asked to present the AFL premiership cup should her beloved Tigers win the grand final.

Tennis star Ash Barty celebrates a Richmond goal in the opening week of the finals

Australian tennis star Ash Barty is thrilled to have been asked to present the AFL premiership cup should her beloved Tigers defeat Geelong at in the grand final The Gabba on Saturday.

The world No 1, who has had a strong involvement with the Tigers for more than a decade, was stunned when Richmond president Peggy O’Neal issued the invitation.

“I was surprised and very honoured when Peggy asked me to present the cup,” she said.

“I know there are many other Richmond people who would normally do this but, given the circumstances, I am very grateful for the opportunity.

“I wish the boys all the best for Saturday and very much hope I have the chance to be out there when the siren goes celebrating another Richmond premiership.”

The COVID-19 crisis has meant that Barty has stayed in Australia this year, foregoing the opportunity to defend her French Open title last month.

This was due to her desire to protect the health of her family and team members.

But it has also meant she had the chance to watch the Tigers live in recent finals played at The Gabba and Metricon Stadium, as well as during the home-and-away season.

During her time touring the world in recent years, Barty would often discuss the form of the Tigers either before or after official press conferences with Australian journalists.

She has made a habit of setting alarm clocks to ensure she can watch matches live.

Prior to the US Open doubles success in 2018, Barty and her team kicked a Sherrin to each other on a warm-up court in the shadows of Arthur Ashe Stadium, much to the amazement of some Americans watching the session.

While always a Tigers fan, her close links to Richmond began when she was living in Melbourne for a period as a teenager while training at Melbourne Park.

The 24-year-old would head to Punt Rd for training sessions and became close with players including Richmond captain Trent Cotchin.

Cotchin and others regularly attend her matches at the Australian Open each January.

Even now, while in Melbourne, she uses the club as a base for fitness work.

Richmond recognised her support of the Tigers’ AFLW team by announcing her as the foundation ticket holder for the club.

“I am a lifelong fan of the Tigers and so proud to be associated with the club,” she said.

“I trained at the club for several years with a lot of the boys and have loved watching the Tigers on my travels. Supporting them has been a constant source of enjoyment for me on the road. I have a huge admiration and respect for the club on and off the field.

“What they have achieved over the last decade is incredible.”