Australian Open: Ash Barty is queen of hearts but can she rule the court?

Ash Barty is feeling the love as she attempts to become the first homegrown winner since 1978.

The stars take to Melbourne Park on Sunday to prepare for the Australian Open on Sunday.

Ash Barty was about to receive her suitably indigenous-themed trophy for winning the Adelaide International on Saturday night when an Aboriginal elder blessed it and told the “evil spirits” and “evil energy” and “bad energy” to nick off and leave her alone when she travels to her next port of call.

Any “bad energy” will not be welcome at Melbourne Park as the world No 1 attempts to become the first homegrown winner of the Australian Open since Chris O’Neil in 1978.

Now that Barty, a great granddaughter of the Ngaragu people, has packed off the carved wooden prize to her parents’ Queensland home and knocked back a marriage proposal from a fan punching above his weight — full marks for trying — she gets the showtime slot of 7pm (AEDT) on Monday for her first-round match against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko.

The polarising figure of Margaret Court will settle into her VIP seat for two weeks of God knows what but Barty is the face of the tournament — and red-faced about the attention.

“Yeah, my face is everywhere a little bit, isn’t it? I’m a bit sick of it, to be honest,” she grins.

“But it’s amazing to have so much support and love from the Australian public. I’ve really felt that over the last 12 months. It’s been incredible. For every player in this draw, it’s a dream to try and win a grand slam.”

The fan in Adelaide who felt the pang of Cupid’s arrow blurted to Barty during an autograph session: “Ash, will you marry me?”

She didn’t bat an eyelid before replying: “I’m sorry. I can’t do that, my friend.” The heartbreaker.

She has a partner, Garry Kissick, a trainee golf professional. “Well, I mean, it was my first marriage proposal,” Barty says. “I love there is a bit of Aussie humour in it. I love that banter.”

A blockbuster edition of the Open is upon us. Good energy. Good spirits. As Barty attempts to win her first home grand slam — to go with last year’s French Open — genuine superstars of the sport are chasing more silverware for their crowded trophy cabinets.

There’s Serena Williams, 38 and already the greatest women’s player ever, seeking to equal Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles. She’s already won seven in Melbourne and is the bookies’ favourite to make it eight. And there’s the trinity of greatness of men’s tennis — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — aiming to extend their dominance at the dawn of a new decade.

Tennis Australia has invited Court to the event to mark the 50th anniversary of her grand slam year. She will be a front-row spectator when Williams plays.

Organisers may need extra ­security if Williams and Court cross paths in the corridors. Bosom buddies, they are not. Bad energy.