- Plaudits flow for world No 1 after she ended a 44-year wait
- Barty’s achievements labelled ‘iconic’, ‘special’, ‘admirable’
The tennis and wider sporting world has delighted in Ash Barty’s grand slam triumph after the world No 1 became the first local to win the Australian Open women’s singles crown in 44 years.
Barty beat American Danielle Collins in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena to become the first Australian to triumph at Melbourne Park since Chris O’Neil in 1978.