An engaging all-court playing style and a gracious competitive temperament were the attributes that made Australian Ashleigh Barty a champion.

To see Barty navigate her way through a match was to witness a rare blend: athleticism and art, points constructed with careful thought and the precision of a diamond-cutter.

Each of Barty’s major accomplishments is powerfully linked to history.

In 2019, Barty became the first Australian to capture the singles title at Roland-Garros since her compatriot, Margaret Court, had won in Paris 46 years earlier. That summer, Barty ascended to the world number one ranking – the first Aussie woman to soar that high since her hero, Evonne Goolagong, had reached the pinnacle in 1976. Barty held the number one ranking for 121 weeks.

Two years later, Barty won the Wimbledon singles championship. Here too, the victory was historic: Not since Goolagong’s 1980 title run had an Australian woman triumphed at the All-England Club.

Then there came the chance for success at her homeland major. The last Australian to lift the champion’s trophy Down Under had been Chris O’Neil in 1978. In 2022, Barty marched to victory decisively, winning seven matches without the loss of a set. Soon after, at the age of 25, Barty announced her retirement.