Barty: Nadal lived out my tennis dream, grateful for his team who offered to help during Covid era

Ash Barty’s historic Australian Open victory was never meant to be her final tennis match. In a tribute to Rafael Nadal, she reveals how grateful she is that one of her favourites lived out his tennis dream.

ASH Barty was cruelly denied her secret retirement wish but remains grateful Rafael Nadal, one of her eternal favourites, had the same dream and nailed it.

Barty has paid a heartfelt tribute to legend Nadal who retired from professional tennis last month after Spain were knocked out of the Davis Cup by the Netherlands.

As she watched Nadal being grandly farewelled, Barty’s mind flicked back to her own retirement months after she won the Australian Open in 2022 and Nadal won the men’s title.

Barty had secretly planned to retire playing for her country in front of her home fans in Brisbane in a Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Federation Cup) tie against Slovakia but the fixture was cancelled so the Australian Open final was the last match of her career.

Ash Barty never planned for the Australian Open to be her final match. Picture: David Caird

“I love Rafa,’’ Barty told this masthead after revealing she would be back on court at The Australian Open next year, not as a competitor but to host the winner of a sweepstakes for Marriott Bonvoy members for a special training session.

“What I loved most was Rafa as a human being. I played my first Australian Open when I was 15 and walked past him in the corridor and he said hello. I was this overwhelmed kid. He could not have been nicer.

“We shared some cool successes and have those memories but I liked the way Rafa retired. He wanted to represent Spain in a team environment. That was my dream. I wanted to retire representing Australia at a Fed Cup tie in Brisbane which did not eventuate. I know that feeling of celebrating your career with the people you love.

“He and his team were always so kind to us. They offered us to help and during Covid when Australia was going through quite a challenging time and his Uncle Tony had reached out to us and said “if you need you come there is space in our academy and we can set you up no problem at all. We are always very grateful for them.

“It’s been such a beautiful celebration for him and his career. So many tributes from players and also other athletes around the world. It showed how much of a positive impact it had on sport and life in general.

“He has a brilliant perspective on life and sport. I was always one of his biggest supporters.’’

Even though Barty is now comfortably settled into retirement and the mother of 17-month Hayden she is looking forward to her Melbourne on-court cameo.

Barty has paid a heart felt tribute to Rafael Nadal. Picture: Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITF

“I like the idea of going back to the Australian Open and having a clinic for a Mariott Bonvoy member to be able to experience what it is like on a match court in a big stadium. We will go out in the morning and it will be like the calm before the storm.’’

Barty feels Australian tennis in on course for a bright era.

“We have more depth in the mens and women's than we have at a long time. A few of the girls who were born in the early 2000s have matured their games and their bodies and now they are taking the next step.’’

For a chance to win a training session with Ash Barty click here

Originally published as Barty: Nadal lived out my tennis dream, grateful for his team who offered to help during Covid era