Moment of joy for Wimbledon winner Ash Barty’s family

As Ash Barty achieved the dream of a lifetime, her family erupted with joy on the Gold Coast. Just before the match, the World No.1 received a prophetic text from her tennis idol. | WATCH

In the moments after Ash Barty achieved the dream of her lifetime, her parents and family erupted with joy on the Gold Coast.

Just as the nation watched on the edge of their seat as the 25-year-old defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-3, the hearts of her parents Rob and Josie Barty were thumping.

Match point. A moment of glory awaited. And then the Czech netted a forehand. And the celebrations began with what matters most — hugs of joy with loved ones.

Ash Barty with her father Rob and mother Josie. Picture: Nic Morley.

When Rob Barty spoke to The Australian about 3am on Sunday, the family had exchanged messages with the world No. 1, but were yet to have the pleasure of speaking with her.

But their delight knew no bounds.

“We have been pretty busy just answering emails and text messages. It is absolutely incredible,” Rob Barty said.

“It will probably be tomorrow morning that we sit back and watch a replay and take in what she has achieved. We are so pleased for her, with all her hard work, so proud of her and her team, it is really amazing.

“Just to know that all of her hard work, she is living the dream and she has achieved something she has wanted to achieve all of her life and she is just an incredibly, incredibly clever girl.”

Ash Barty with her Wimbledon trophy. Picture: AFP

Barty as a child. Picture: Instagram

A couple of hours later, Barty was still completing the press obligations that come with winning a grand slam title.

And she was keen to pay tribute to her family, who she misses dearly.

“I think I’ve just tried to live by my values that my parents instilled in me,” she said.

“I mean, it’s more important to be a good person than it is to be a good tennis player. So I think that is always my priority, is making sure I am a good human being.

“I am extremely lucky that I was able to have an opportunity to learn how to play the game of tennis. But I think being a good human being is absolutely my priority every single day.”

As Barty was preparing for the biggest moment of her career, her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley sent her one final message of encouragement.

In it, her belief in Barty’s ability to deliver in the Wimbledon final against Karolina Pliskova was clear and without any doubt.

“Dreams do come true,” Goolagong Cawley told the world No. 1 in a text message.

Barty is the third Australian woman in the modern era after Margaret Court and Goolagong Cawley to claim the most prestigious crown in tennis.

Goolagong Cawley was watching from the Sunshine Coast with her husband Roger as the Australian she picked as a future champion when Barty was just a teenager defeated Pliskova 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-3.

“I am so very much proud of Ash,” Goolagong Cawley said.

In normal circumstances, Goolagong Cawley would have been courtside celebrating the 50th anniversary of her Wimbledon triumph in 1971.

Those in tennis circles have known that her husband Roger is battling a serious illness and Goolagong Cawley preferred to stay and watch with him.

Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong Cawley at Edmonton Tennis Club in Cairns in 2019.

The Barty family have been among those who have supported the couple. Goolagong Cawley, on consideration, said she was fine to disclose the reason for her absence from Wimbledon. Family always comes first.

“I remember at one stage we jumped up _ Roger could not jump up because he has muscular dystrophy _ so I was hugging the chair and dancing at the same time and crying,” she said.

“It was very emotional, but I am so, so proud of her.”

Goolagong Cawley said the joy she noted in the Barty family, who texted her throughout the night and called early on Sunday, sparked a realisation in herself some 50 years after her own famous victory.

“It made me realise how happy I made my family after winning my first Wimbledon and my second. I understand now what they went through. It was very emotional,” she said.