Congratulations to Ash Barty, new WTA #1!

Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Definitely think this deserves a thread.

Barty has had a spectacular return to the sport after quitting the game in 2014 going on to play professional cricket. She made her return to tennis in 2016 and the rest is history.

She won the 2018 US Open doubles title and finished the year as #15 by winning the WTA Elite trophy in singles . She started this year by making the final in Sydney (knocked out #1 Halep) but lost to Kvitová, made her first slam QF at the Aus Open, 4R of Indian Wells before winning her first Premier Mandatory title in Miami which brought her into the top 10. She then made the Madrid QF and Rome 3R before storming to the French Open title dropping just one set all tournament. She then backed up her slam victory by easily transitioning to grass by winning the Birmingham title to become #1. She’s currently on a 12 match winning streak.

Not only is she now the #1 in singles with a slam and Premier Mandatory title but she’s #7 in doubles and currently holds a slam there too and two Premier 5 titles. Epic.

Here’s to Ash, our first Aussie female #1 since Goolagong in 1976.

D9wDpbLU8AAoHYB
 
tennisaddict

tennisaddict

Bionic Poster
Aussie Darcy said:
She’s a pro tennis player, right?

How sad that this is the first post on the thread. No congratulations? Nothing better to say?
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I was just messing with you,

Actually incredibly happy for her that she got to No 1 after where she had been just 3 years back.

A story for history. She has a very pleasing game, absolutely charming and gets along well with the tour, great ambassador.

Hope she can be Aussie Pride for years to come !
 
C

chimneysweep

Semi-Pro
I love her. Great attitude, great game, great girl, and great story. What is not to love. So a 23 year old takes the #1 from a 21 year old. This is what the ATP needs sooner than later, some fresh young talent emerging. We waited a painfully long time in the WTA for awhile, but it is finally here, hopefully the ATP will be sooner than imagined too.
 
Turbo-87

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
She's great for tennis right now. It just shows everyone that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. She is an incredible athlete and seems like a nice young gal who is going to be tough for opponents to figure out.

I sure liked the extended congrats from Julia at the end of the match. You can tell they are great friends.
 
Fabresque

Fabresque

Legend
Ash Barty working hard and reaching number 1 in the world with a slam to her name. Typifies true passion and dedication.

Meanwhile on the men’s side, Nick and Bernie are the most talented Aussies on tour more focused on money and slandering the games greats.

It’s comical at this point.
 
Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
IA-SteveB said:
She's great for tennis right now. It just shows everyone that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. She is an incredible athlete and seems like a nice young gal who is going to be tough for opponents to figure out.

I sure liked the extended congrats from Julia at the end of the match. You can tell they are great friends.
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Definitely, they were actually doubles partners in Birmingham this week and made the SF before withdrawing. Would’ve been interesting having them play the doubles final after just playing against each other in the singles final :p
 
Mainad

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Congrats to Ash Barty on becoming the 1st Aussie woman to top the rankings in 43 years and becoming the latest in a list of 27 women who have achieved the # 1 ranking in the open era. Wonder how long she will hold on to it for?

I've even forgiven her for turning down the opportunity to play tennis alongside my favourite player! :cool:
 
Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Mainad said:
Congrats to Ash Barty on becoming the 1st Aussie woman to top the rankings in 43 years and becoming the latest in a list of 27 women who have achieved the # 1 ranking in the open era. Wonder how long she will hold on to it for?

I've even forgiven her for turning down the opportunity to play tennis alongside my favourite player! :cool:
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It'll be a close one.
Both Ash and Osaka only have 3R points to defend at Wimbledon, #3 Pliskova has just 4R points, #4 Bertens has QF points and #5 Kerber has the full 2000 points so you can forget about her. So it's really a battle between Ash, Naomi and Karolina there.

After Wimbledon, Osaka has just 30 points to defend in Washington and then nothing til her 2000 points at the US Open as she fell in the 1R in Cincy and Montreal. Ash has 350 points to defend in Montreal and 105 in Cincy but just 240 at the USO vs Osaka's 2000. Pliskova has jut 60 points at Montreal and 60 at Cincy and then 240 at the US Open so it's pretty wide open for them 3. You can forget about Bertens who has 190 points in Montreal and then 900 champion points in Cincy. Kvitova could put herself in the mix if she has a few good tournaments especially Wimbledon but looks like it'll be between Barty, Osaka and Pliskova.
 
jon70

jon70

Semi-Pro
She'll obviously be used to promote Wimbledon on local Aussie TV, which makes me a bit nervous. It's grass, and anything can happen - someone like Vekic can be very dangerous. I don't mean to sound like I have little faith, but I'd be more than happy to see her make the second week. Winning the title would be a ridiculous bonus.
 
Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
jon70 said:
She'll obviously be used to promote Wimbledon on local Aussie TV, which makes me a bit nervous. It's grass, and anything can happen - someone like Vekic can be very dangerous. I don't mean to sound like I have little faith, but I'd be more than happy to see her make the second week. Winning the title would be a ridiculous bonus.
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Yeah i'm not expecting her to do the very rare Channel slam, i'd be happy with a SF or QF appearance as long as she loses to a calibre player like Petra or Halep or Serena and not a nobody.
 
C

chimneysweep

Semi-Pro
Aussie Darcy said:
Yeah i'm not expecting her to do the very rare Channel slam, i'd be happy with a SF or QF appearance as long as she loses to a calibre player like Petra or Halep or Serena and not a nobody.
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Although I doubt Halep will do squat at Wimbledon. Worst surface by far, and on decline in general. Her best ever Wimbledon was a lone semi final, getting drubbed by Genie Bouchard of all people. If she gets drubs in the quarters of the French by a little known, I say she does well to make 2nd week of Wimbledon. If she somehow plays Barty at Wimbledon, I expect an easy win for Barty in all honesty.
 
oldmanfan

oldmanfan

Legend
EloQuent said:
She's a compelling personality, and it's interesting to see someone succeed in both singles and doubles.
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tennisaddict said:
I was just messing with you,

Actually incredibly happy for her that she got to No 1 after where she had been just 3 years back.

A story for history. She has a very pleasing game, absolutely charming and gets along well with the tour, great ambassador.

Hope she can be Aussie Pride for years to come !
Click to expand...

AceSalvo said:
A WTA player with Fed like BH slice has got my attention. Huge serve and huge FH is a plus.

+1
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Agreed.

To me, she's a 2HBH Fedr, female edition, bc:

1) all court
2) great FH
3) great serve relative to height
4) great slice BH
5) no grunting
6) no-fuss between points
7) great ambassador
8) consistent
9) great manners on/off court
10) likely best on grass (just won this week's grass tourney too)
 
C

chimneysweep

Semi-Pro
Aussie Darcy said:
It'll be a close one.
Both Ash and Osaka only have 3R points to defend at Wimbledon, #3 Pliskova has just 4R points, #4 Bertens has QF points and #5 Kerber has the full 2000 points so you can forget about her. So it's really a battle between Ash, Naomi and Karolina there.

After Wimbledon, Osaka has just 30 points to defend in Washington and then nothing til her 2000 points at the US Open as she fell in the 1R in Cincy and Montreal. Ash has 350 points to defend in Montreal and 105 in Cincy but just 240 at the USO vs Osaka's 2000. Pliskova has jut 60 points at Montreal and 60 at Cincy and then 240 at the US Open so it's pretty wide open for them 3. You can forget about Bertens who has 190 points in Montreal and then 900 champion points in Cincy. Kvitova could put herself in the mix if she has a few good tournaments especially Wimbledon but looks like it'll be between Barty, Osaka and Pliskova.
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So sad Kvitova has already missed her opening to the elusive #1 ranking yet again. Already happened in late 2011/early 2012. Fate has been cruel to her.
 
Cashman

Cashman

Hall of Fame
Aussie Darcy said:
It'll be a close one.
Both Ash and Osaka only have 3R points to defend at Wimbledon, #3 Pliskova has just 4R points, #4 Bertens has QF points and #5 Kerber has the full 2000 points so you can forget about her. So it's really a battle between Ash, Naomi and Karolina there.

After Wimbledon, Osaka has just 30 points to defend in Washington and then nothing til her 2000 points at the US Open as she fell in the 1R in Cincy and Montreal. Ash has 350 points to defend in Montreal and 105 in Cincy but just 240 at the USO vs Osaka's 2000. Pliskova has jut 60 points at Montreal and 60 at Cincy and then 240 at the US Open so it's pretty wide open for them 3. You can forget about Bertens who has 190 points in Montreal and then 900 champion points in Cincy. Kvitova could put herself in the mix if she has a few good tournaments especially Wimbledon but looks like it'll be between Barty, Osaka and Pliskova.
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Osaka and Pliskova are stinky butts on grass, so I can only see Barty extending her lead there.

Honestly, unless Osaka sweeps the field during the US summer hardcourts it is going to be pretty hard for Ash to lose the top ranking before about October at the earliest.
 
oldmanfan

oldmanfan

Legend
Cashman said:
Osaka and Pliskova are stinky butts on grass, so I can only see Barty extending her lead there.

Honestly, unless Osaka sweeps the field during the US summer hardcourts it is going to be pretty hard for Ash to lose the top ranking before about October at the earliest.
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I like all three of Barty/Osaka/Pliskova. I think current Barty is the most consistent between them, so I pick her as 2019 YE#1.
 
Cashman

Cashman

Hall of Fame
oldmanfan said:
I like all three of Barty/Osaka/Pliskova. I think current Barty is the most consistent between them, so I pick her as 2019 YE#1.
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You wouldn't want to bet against her at this stage. She's over 1,000 points ahead of Kvitova and Pliskova in the race, and 1,500 points ahead of Osaka.

Given clay is supposed to be her worst surface, that's a phenomenal position to be in by the end of June.
 
Deon Sanders

Deon Sanders

Legend
Cashman said:
You wouldn't want to bet against her at this stage. She's over 1,000 points ahead of Kvitova and Pliskova in the race, and 1,500 points ahead of Osaka.

Given clay is supposed to be her worst surface, that's a phenomenal position to be in by the end of June.
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Clay is also the worst surface of Serena

And Ostapenko

And Sharapova

And Li Na

And Ivanovic

And Myskina

And Capriati

And Pierce

The list of winners at the sport of clay tennis is long and deep

Worthless title
 
oldmanfan

oldmanfan

Legend
Cashman said:
You wouldn't want to bet against her at this stage. She's over 1,000 points ahead of Kvitova and Pliskova in the race, and 1,500 points ahead of Osaka.

Given clay is supposed to be her worst surface, that's a phenomenal position to be in by the end of June.
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I thought her variety was nice, but wasn't sure if she can convert that into results with how much ball bashing dominant the tour is now. Her dismantling of the tour from Miami19 through this week convinced me. The fact that she barely makes an audible through her shots and don't loudly scream/grunt/shriek is a godsend. Win or lose a point? She just carries on. So refreshing!
 
Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Deon Sanders said:
Clay is also the worst surface of Serena

And Ostapenko

And Sharapova

And Li Na

And Ivanovic

And Myskina

And Capriati

And Pierce

The list of winners at the sport of clay tennis is long and deep

Worthless title
Click to expand...
Not sure where you're getting this from?

Capriarti was very good on clay compared to grass. 7 titles including RG, Olympic gold and other big tournaments. Meanwhile she never made a grass final.

Myskina was definitely better on clay than grass. 3 titles including a slam on clay, 4 on hard, 3 on carpet, 0 on grass.

Ditto for Pierce who was way better on clay than grass. 6 titles on clay including RG + 2 runner ups at RG, 5 on hard, 6 on carpet, 1 on grass.

Same for Ivanovic. 2 clay titles including a slam and another RG runner up, 12 on hard, 1 on grass. RG was by far her best slam.

Sharapova's best winning % at slams is at the French. 11 clay titles with just 2 runner ups (great winning %). 20 hard titles but 17 runner ups and then just 3 titles on grass with 4 runner ups. I would say clay is her best surface and RG would've been her best chance at winning one last slam although that chance has come and gone.

I agree in the sense that rarely is a slam champions favourite surface clay and even if it is, that might not be where their best results are (like Stosur)
 
T

Tao69

Rookie
Deon Sanders said:
Worthless title
Click to expand...

It’s a tough surface because it requires you to construct your points better because any advantages you typically have are somewhat diminished.

I personally hate it, much prefer a fast court, but I can appreciate how hard it is to win on clay.
 
Deon Sanders

Deon Sanders

Legend
Aussie Darcy said:
Not sure where you're getting this from?

Capriarti was very good on clay compared to grass. 7 titles including RG, Olympic gold and other big tournaments. Meanwhile she never made a grass final.

Myskina was definitely better on clay than grass. 3 titles including a slam on clay, 4 on hard, 3 on carpet, 0 on grass.

Ditto for Pierce who was way better on clay than grass. 6 titles on clay including RG + 2 runner ups at RG, 5 on hard, 6 on carpet, 1 on grass.

Same for Ivanovic. 2 clay titles including a slam and another RG runner up, 12 on hard, 1 on grass. RG was by far her best slam.

Sharapova's best winning % at slams is at the French. 11 clay titles with just 2 runner ups (great winning %). 20 hard titles but 17 runner ups and then just 3 titles on grass with 4 runner ups. I would say clay is her best surface and RG would've been her best chance at winning one last slam although that chance has come and gone.
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The WTA has a grass season that doesnt even matter

WTA has two surfaces. And all of the above did better outside their fluke French wins on the aggregate in the only grass event of the year that matters, Wimbledon.
 
Cashman

Cashman

Hall of Fame
Tao69 said:
It’s a tough surface because it requires you to construct your points better because any advantages you typically have are somewhat diminished.

I personally hate it, much prefer a fast court, but I can appreciate how hard it is to win on clay.
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Yup, this. I think people who have never been lucky enough to play on natural surfaces really underappreciate the additional dimension they bring to the sport.

I stink on clay, but I'd much rather play on it over hardcourt or carpet.
 
Deon Sanders

Deon Sanders

Legend
Cashman said:
Yup, this. I think people who have never been lucky enough to play on natural surfaces really underappreciate the additional dimension they bring to the sport.

I stink on clay, but I'd much rather play on it over hardcourt or carpet.
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Clay has the most winners in both men and women

Because for decades it was ignored. As a symbol of a city that flew the flag of the third Reich. A surface most prominent in countries that flew the flag of the third Reich or took in those fleeing losing after flying it.

Its just not an honorable surface
 
Cashman

Cashman

Hall of Fame
Deon Sanders said:
Clay has the most winners in both men and women

Because for decades it was ignored. As a symbol of a city that flew the flag of the third Reich. A surface most prominent in countries that flew the flag of the third Reich or took in those fleeing losing after flying it.

Its just not an honorable surface
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You feeling alright mate?
 
Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Tao69 said:
It’s a tough surface because it requires you to construct your points better because any advantages you typically have are somewhat diminished.

I personally hate it, much prefer a fast court, but I can appreciate how hard it is to win on clay.
Click to expand...
Definitely. A lot of the top players struggle on it especially at RG which is why we've seen a crazy difference in winners compared to other slams (Barty, Ostapenko, Schiavone). Players like Wozniacki, Kerber, Pliskova and Osaka just aren't great on clay and then you've got Kvitova who should be a RG champ but just having mediocre results.

It's quite the same with grass though.
Many top players struggle on it. Wozniacki, Sloane, Svitolina, Pliskova, Osaka, Stosur.
 
T

Tao69

Rookie
Aussie Darcy said:
Definitely. A lot of the top players struggle on it especially at RG which is why we've seen a crazy difference in winners compared to other slams (Barty, Ostapenko, Schiavone). Players like Wozniacki, Kerber, Pliskova and Osaka just aren't great on clay and then you've got Kvitova who should be a RG champ but just having mediocre results.

It's quite the same with grass though.
Many top players struggle on it. Wozniacki, Sloane, Svitolina, Pliskova, Osaka, Stosur.
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Yeah, grass is the opposite, any weaknesses you have really work against you because there’s less time and smaller margin for error. It’ll kill you if you have poor preparation or don’t watch the ball well enough; it rewards better timers of the ball. It’s why you see a lot more shanks.

It’s what makes the winning the FO and W back to back so hard, they are completely different surfaces with little time in between to adjust; and at the pro level the margins are so small it all matters.
 
Aussie Darcy

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Cashman said:
Osaka and Pliskova are stinky butts on grass, so I can only see Barty extending her lead there.

Honestly, unless Osaka sweeps the field during the US summer hardcourts it is going to be pretty hard for Ash to lose the top ranking before about October at the earliest.
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Kvitova is one to watch but depends on her injuries. Has no points to defend at Wimbledon so she could get quite a lot of points if she does well there and then just 105 points to defend in Montreal and 350 in Cincy and 3R points at the USO.
 
Cashman

Cashman

Hall of Fame
Aussie Darcy said:
Kvitova is one to watch but depends on her injuries. Has no points to defend at Wimbledon so she could get quite a lot of points if she does well there and then just 105 points to defend in Montreal and 350 in Cincy and 3R points at the USO.
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Is Kvitova even confirmed for Wimbledon? Last I heard, she'd had to bail on Birmingham and was only 50-50 to line up at SW19.

It's hard to see her playing the kind of schedule for the rest of the season that would be necessary to see her overhaul Barty.
 
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