Barty wins Newcombe medal at the Australian Tennis Awards

Ashleigh Barty won the third award in a row after another successful season during which she has won her first Grand Slam title.

Defeating Ajla Tomljanovic, John Millman or Alex de Minaur, Barty became just a second player in Australian history to win the medal for the third time in a row. Previously, it was Samantha Stosur who was this successful. After winning the award, Barty said:

“I’m incredibly grateful and very humbled to be here tonight,” the 23-year-old said. “This is not about individual athletes — it’s a night of celebration for everyone involved in tennis and everyone that’s a part of our tennis family. Congratulations to everyone else who’s in this room. It takes a village and we are a big tennis family. I’m very humbled to be here tonight."

“I’m extremely fortunate to have such an amazing support network around me. It’s very special for me tonight to have Mum, Dad and my very first coach in Jim Joyce here. They gave me the unconditional love and support time and time again. In all the bad times and all the good times, they’re always there.

“There were a few words they said to me: ‘I love to watch you play’. And when your Mum and Dad say that to you, when your coach says that to you, that makes your heart race a little bit. Honestly it’s been incredible. I’m very grateful that they’re here to share it with me as well.”

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