"Friend, mentor, icon, absolute legend": Ashleigh Barty pays tribute to Aussie tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley after Australian Open ceremony

Sunday, 28 January 2024 at 02:30

Former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty wrote a heartfelt note praising Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of her first Australian Open title, a trophy she won in four consecutive editions (1974, 75', 76', 77').

The 72-year-old former tennis player was honored at Melbourne Park before the women's semifinal matches. During the tribute, the organizers announced that the annual celebration of First Nations culture during the first week of the Australian Open will be named Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day.

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Ashleigh Barty retired two years ago while still holding the world No. 1 ranking, having become the most recent Australian tennis legend with her three Grand Slam titles, including the last one at home in the 2022 Aussie Open, just weeks before confirming her retirement. This time, Barty took the opportunity to share a heartfelt message to Goolagong on Instagram, along with several photos of them together.

"A friend, mentor, icon and absolute legend. What an incredible person you are, Evonne. A special year celebrating the 50th anniversary of your first AO win, but an even greater appreciation and acknowledgement of your entire career with the renaming of a very special day - Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day. I cherish our relationship every single day. And I will always be your biggest fan," Barty wrote on Instagram.

Ash Barty career goals

The Australian had a surprising retirement in 2022 when she was the most recent Grand Slam champion and undisputed No. 1, allowing Iga Swiatek to reach the world No. 1 and start an incredible streak of 75 weeks at the top, although she did not equal Barty's record.

Barty's streak of consecutive weeks at No. 1 is among the best in history, surpassed only by Serena Williams and Steffi Graf, both with 186 consecutive weeks, and Martina Navratilova, who reached 156 consecutive weeks, while Barty totaled 114.

Barty won a total of 15 titles, three of them in Grand Slam events (2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon, and 2022 Australian Open). She and Evonne Goolagong are the only Australian female tennis players to be No. 1 in the Open Era.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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