Ashleigh Barty was told off by Sue Barker for emulating Pat Cash after beating Karolina Pliskova in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon. Barty attempted to climb into her team box, in a nod to Australia’s former men’s player Cash, after winning in three sets.
Barty was in superb form on Centre Court, completing a 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 win to become the first Australian women’s champion at the tournament for 41 years.
The 25-year-old scooped her first Wimbledon title and was overcome with emotion when interviewed on court.
Victory held special resonance for Barty, coming on the 50th anniversary of her friend and mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s maiden win at the All England Club.
After securing her second Grand Slam title, Barty attempted to climb up to celebrate with her team – a move which has become a time-honoured tradition at the Championships since Cash first did it after beating Ivan Lendl in the 1987 men’s final.
The climbing attempt did not go to plan and Barty eventually made her way up to hug her team via steps, prompting mock outrage from presenter Barker.
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And after picking up the trophy on Centre Court, Barty was quick to pay tribute to her support network and joke about her attempts to get to them.
“There was a bit of a wobbly step there, I should have probably taken the elegant route,” she said with a smile.
“My team is incredible. They’re with me every step of the way and I can’t thank them enough for sacrificing their time and energy into my career and into my dreams.
“For them to travel with me, essentially be away from home for eight or nine months is incredible so I can’t thank them enough.”
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