Ash Barty Is The First Australian Woman In 46 Years To Win The French Open

Five years after quitting the sport in despair, the 23-year-old is now a champion - by Lauren Williamson

Ashleigh Barty has won the 2019 French Open in straight sets against Marketa Vondrousova.

The 23-year-old is first Australian woman to win at Roland Garros in 46 years, following in the footsteps of Margaret Court (1962, '64, '69, '70, '73), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971) and Lesley Bowrey (1963, '65).

After clinching her maiden grand slam 6-1 6-3, Barty took in the moment before dropping an f-bomb.

"For the last fortnight, the stars have aligned for me," she told the press.

"I have been able to play really good tennis when I've needed it. I never dreamt that I'd be sitting here with this trophy here at the French Open."

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In 2015 Barty walked away from the sport as she struggled to cope with the pressure placed on her after winning junior Wimbledon and reaching three grand slam doubles finals.

She turned to cricket and showed her prodigious athletic talent playing for the Brisbane Heat before returning to tennis in on June 6, 2016 — almost three years ago to the day.

“I think it’s what I was born to do,” she said.

“I’m a tennis player through and through. I just had to see that for myself."

Lauren Williamson

Lauren Williamson is a digital writer, editor and social media fiend who's a huge fan of tackling new wellness trends, eating her way through foreign countries and getting worked up over politics.