Australian Ash Barty Ascends To No. 1 In The World in Women's Tennis

There's a new world No. 1 in women's tennis.

Australia’s Ash Barty will become the new WTA World No.1 when the rankings are released on Monday. Barty ascended to No. 1 by beating Julia Görges, 6-3, 7-5, to win the Nature Valley Classic (Birmingham) title on Sunday.

She becomes the second Australian woman to achieve No. 1 following Evonne Goolagong Cawley on April 26, 1976 and the 27th woman overall, ending Naomi Osaka’s 21-week reign as the WTA World No. 1. Osaka won the US Open and Australian Open for her first major titles, and Barty then captured her maiden Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros. With her win in Birmingham, Barty has now won 12 straight matches.

“It’s a dream come true to be the World No.1,” said Barty, according to the WTA. “My team and I have put in so much work and I’m very proud of what we have achieved. It’s an honour to be in this position, which has been held by the legends of our sport who I respect and admire greatly.”

The Australian has won two of the five biggest titles of the year, having also picked up her career first WTA Premier Mandatory trophy at the Miami Open presented in March, which propelled her into the Top 10 for the first time in her career.

“Ash and I have been together from day one of her tennis comeback and I have loved every minute of our partnership - the successful moments, the challenges and everything in between,” said Craig Tyzzer, coach of Ashleigh Barty, per the WTA. “Over the last three years, Ash has grown as a person and as a player. What has stayed constant is her genuine, humble and respectful nature. She is a truly impressive person and deserves every success that comes her way. I couldn’t be prouder to be her coach.”

Achieving the WTA World No.1 ranking is the latest accolade in Barty’s young career, having captured a total of six WTA singles titles which also include the 2017 ALYA Malaysian Open (Kuala Lumpur) and 2018 Nature Valley Open (Nottingham), as well as the 2018 WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai crown.

“Ashleigh’s journey has been truly remarkable, from breaking into the Top 100 only two years ago to now as a Grand Slam champion and the latest to hold the prestigious Chris Evert WTA World No. 1 Trophy,” said WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon. “I am confident that we are witnessing a true champion in the making whose accomplishments are only beginning.“

Three years ago, Barty was ranked No. 623 following a two-year break from tennis to play professional cricket. This year, she reached her career first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, claimed her maiden major and WTA Premier Mandatory titles, made her Top 10 and Top 5 debut, and now ascends to the WTA World No.1 singles ranking.

“Ash Barty is living proof that variety and finesse have a place in modern tennis, alongside power,” said Chris Evert, who was the first woman to hold World No.1 when the WTA instigated computer rankings in November 1975. “As well as being an incredible player and consistent performer on the tour, she is a fantastic role model, respected by her WTA peers and fans around the world for her sportsmanship and humility. She is a champion in the best traditions, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for her.”

Barty will be presented with the newly named Chris Evert WTA World No.1 Trophy, the focal point of which is a silver "star-map" tennis ball that represents the tennis universe. All World No. 1s, past and present, are depicted by a diamond in the sky, which represents each champion’s mark on the sport.

Source: Forbes.com

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