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Ash Barty, on a high after reaching her first Wimbledon final, has revealed how close she was to missing out on her dream at the All England Club because of injury. And Australia’s first women’s finalist since her mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley 41 years ago admitted she was never sure during her career that this historic breakthrough day would materialise.
Buoyant after her 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) defeat of 2018 champion Angelique Kerber in the semi-final, Barty, back to her physical sharpest, admitted that it had actually been touch-and-go whether she would compete at the grass-court grand slam after the injury she suffered at the French Open.
Related: Ashleigh Barty outplays Angelique Kerber to reach first Wimbledon final