It's Barty's party

In post-match interviews, Ashleigh Barty often uses “we” — rather than “I” — to start sentences and credits her entourage for her success.

- Paul Fein

Much like the legendary Australian champions of the 1950s and 1960s, Ashleigh Barty lets her racquet do the talking.

So it was both fitting and nostalgic that on the 83rd birthday of consummate sportsman Roy Emerson, Barty efficiently dispatched Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the Shiseido WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China. Like Emmo, whose record 28 major men’s titles in singles and doubles will never be broken, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Frank Sedgman and Margaret Court, whose record 62 majors are also unbreakable, Barty is a fair dinkum Aussie in every respect. She’s modest, hard-working and honourable, and she cherishes the camaraderie and support of her family, friends and travelling team.

In post-match interviews, Barty often uses “we” — rather than “I” — to start sentences and credits her entourage for her success. “I’m very biased, but I believe I have the best team in the world,” Barty said during the trophy presentation. “I’m very lucky to have Tyzz [Craig Tyzzer], first and foremost, as my coach. He leads the ship for us. He’s the captain.”

Barty also exemplifies three more Australian traits of yesteryear stars: she’s a terrific competitor, a superb athlete and a beautiful volleyer. All of those assets were gloriously displayed in Barty’s debut at the season-ending tournament in China. Aside from blowing a set and a service break lead and succumbing 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 against hard-hitting Kiki Bertens in the round-robin phase, the 23-year-old played her best when it mattered the most. She rebounded from a one-set deficit to stop Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Then Barty showed the same resilience to overcome Karolina Pliskova 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in a semifinal where the 5’5” Aussie’s speed trumped the 6’1” Czech’s power.