‘Not sure a statue is my thing’: Tennis star reluctant to be a bronzed Barty

Ash Barty will take some convincing that a statue in honour of her sporting prowess - either located close to the Melbourne Park tennis complex or in her home state of Queensland - is justified.

Recently retired Barty, a winner of three majors on different surfaces, is also unsure whether she should automatically be added to the list of tennis greats who are recognised with a bronze bust at Melbourne Park’s garden square.

Ashleigh Barty ahead of her press conference on Thursday, when she spoke about her retirement.Credit: Eddie Jim

Amid debate about how to honour Barty - who this week quit professional tennis for a second time, aged 25 and ranked No.1 in the world - there have been some calls for Barty’s name to be attached to the second main court at the Melbourne Park precinct: Margaret Court Arena, named after the Australian tennis great who holds the record for the most major titles won a woman (24).

Margaret Court, 79, won the Australian Open a remarkable 11 times between 1960 and 1973, but has come under sustained criticism for her controversial views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

When Barty’s shock decision was announced, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was careful responding to questioning about a potential name change for the 6000-seat stadium, adjacent to Rod Laver Arena. “I don’t think we do [Barty] justice by diving into what has been a very controversial debate,” Andrews said.

Barty has so far rejected overtures from the Queensland government for a statue, but conversations are ongoing about the various ways she could be recognised.

“I am not sure a statue is my kind of thing,” Barty said.

“We have been speaking to the Queensland government for a few months about some sort of project. That will come out soon enough, but I am not sure a statue is my thing.”

The cavalcade of bronze busts at Melbourne Park includes members of the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, with modern-day tennis stars - such as Pat Cash, Pat Rafter and wheelchair athlete David Hall - recognised alongside a swag of greats of yesteryear including Laver, Court, Ken Rosewall and Frank Sedgman.

“I don’t think I quite belong,” said Barty.

Busts of tennis greats ring Garden Square at Melbourne Park.Credit: AP

“I look at those and they are legends of our game. I am still very much just learning it. I am not sure I belong with that. But, yeah, we’ll see.”

Retired players must wait a certain period of time before they can enter the Hall of Fame. Two-time major winner Lleyton Hewitt, for example, is not yet exhibited in garden square.

Tennis Australia has indicated it will work closely alongside the Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australian Open champion.

“Ash’s legacy at this point will be what she’s achieved, and I think that’s a conversation with her,” tournament boss Craig Tiley said.

“I know she has already rejected a statue in Queensland. We’ll spend some time her. We would love to honour her in any way she would like to be honoured and we’ll do whatever we can to make that happen.

“I think there’s going to be many ideas that float around, but I think this is a conversation ... Ash is very humble in her approach and very gracious in her approach to these things.

“Whatever we do and whatever we come up with will be not only endorsed but supported by Ash.”

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