MELBOURNE, Australia – He did it! Ashley Barty finally won “her” Australian Open on Saturday, defeating the American Danielle Collins and became queen in her country, the one that has reigned in the world of tennis since 2019.

“It’s a dream come true, I’m so proud to be Australian! “She started the 25-year-old player, lifting the trophy presented by her idol Evonne Goolagong.

“As an Australian, the most important thing in this tournament is to be able to share with so many people and you, the public, were just great,” he added. 3, 7-6 (7/2).

This match would be the most complicated for Barty who had swallowed the previous rounds, beating his opponents.

A break point was saved in the first set, then one – the only one played – was realized and there leads a set to zero after 32 minutes. The so determined “Danimal” Collins seem to be eating the same Australian sauce as the others.

Only, true to herself, the American does not let it.

“More aggressive”

And taking advantage of a small drop in Barty’s level – a few more dead ends, double faults – she puts her face out twice in the second set. In six games so far, the Australian had conceded her service only once, to Amanda Anisimova in the round of 16.

Was the pressure of the long-awaited victory to crack Barty? No! The Australian returned to 5-5 and both players came to the tie break.

“I just tried to be more aggressive. “From 5-1, I tried to regain the upper hand and control of the pitch,” explained Barty, who did not lose a set during the tournament.

She clearly dominated the decisive game, pushed by the crowd of Rod Laver’s stadium, and thus won her third major title after Roland-Garros in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021.

She has been waiting for this title in her national Major since her debut in the circuit in 2014. The Australian people have been dreaming of her for 44 years and the title of Chris O’Neil in 1978.

“Put my hands on the trophy”

“It’s unbelievable. We’ve come close several times, but putting my hands on this beautiful trophy after a great tournament is just unbelievable,” said the Australian, who, as usual, uses “we” instead of “I” for to cover his entire team., starting with coach Craig Tyzzer, nicknamed “Tyzz”.

He played in the ninth Australian Open where he reached the semifinals in 2020 and the quarterfinals in 2021.

“For me, the important thing is not so much the trophies as the memories, the memories that are forged in the street” that leads to the trophies, he insisted.

In her triumphant run, she defeated four Americans in quick succession: Amanda Anisimova in the 8th, Jessica Pegula in the fourth, Madison Keys in the half and Collins in the final.

He had dominated Roland-Garros in 2019: Pegula in the first round, Collins in the second, Keys in the fourth and Anisimova in the half.

“My warmest congratulations to Ash on his great tournament and these great seasons,” said Collins, who is recovering from endometriosis surgery last year. He will enter the world top-10 on Monday.

“The way you play and the variety of shots … I hope to add some to my own game,” added the American, who relies on aggression and ball speed.

Barty also becomes the only active player with Serena Williams to have won Majors on all surfaces (hard, grass and dirt).

The men’s final between Russian Daniil Medvedev (2nd) and Spaniard Rafael Nadal (5th) is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Collins says he can leave “upside down”

“I can go with my head held high,” said Danielle Collins, 30, after pushing Australian Ashleigh Barty to her limits.

“I have to improve in some areas,” the American player explained after the match. “I can undoubtedly go with my head held high, having led this tournament almost alone, without a coach.”

Far from being the favorite of this match, Collins kept the Australians, leading 5 games in 1 in the second set before the latter found the upper hand again and won the match 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).

“It’s not the result I was hoping for, obviously, but I gave what I had. I did what I could. I was pressed to the maximum and I knew how to create an opportunity in the end, said the finalist of the event. That’s all we can ask for in the end. “

The 28-year-old American will enter the World Top 10 on Monday. She had won her first two trophies on the WTA track, in a few weeks, in the summer of 2021.

“Today I had to fight a little with my body, you can expect that when you reach this stage of such a tournament”, mourned the player who is recovering from her surgery, the last year of endometriosis disability.