Ash Barty was already an Aussie icon when she walked out onto the Wimbeldon court on Saturday, July 10.
Then she beat Karolína Plíšková and cemented herself as a tennis legend, taking home the Wimbledon ladies title in a historic win.
It was an incredible victory for the 25-year-old, but also a victory for Indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong-Cawley.
Ash Barty took home a historic Wimbledon single’s title in a very touching outfit.
(Credit: Getty)Fellow tennis legend and Wiradjuri woman Evonne, who has a few Wimbledon wins under her own belt, has been Ash’s mentor and idol for years.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Evonne’s first Wimbledon title, Ash chose to wear a dress that paid tribute to her.
The scallop design Ash wore throughout the tournament is a recreation of a matching dress Evonne wore in the 1970s.
It’s a touching nod to her mentor, and to Indigenous Australian athletes around the nation.
“It’s a really special anniversary for a lot of Australians, but for Indigenous Australians in particular,” Ash said, via Pedestrian.
“I think this is a really special one. For me, to be able to wear an outfit inspired by Evonne’s iconic scallop dress is really amazing.”
She made sure her mentor was on board with the outfit, saying Evonne was “really excited” to hear Ash would be wearing the dress.
And Evonne was even more excited to see Ash take home the Wimbledon ladies title on Saturday wearing the sentimental dress.
“I hope I made Evonne proud,” Ash said during an emotional victory speech at the championships.
“Oh she certainly did. She made me proud from the first time I saw Ash,” former world number one Evonne told ABC on Sunday.
Ash broke down in tears at her incredible victory.
(Credit: Getty)Not only did Ash win in the dress inspired by her Indigenous mentor, she also claimed her victory during NAIDOC Week.
Oh, and Ash is the second ever Indigenous woman to take home the Wimbledon’s single’s title.
The first person who claimed that victory was – you guessed it – Evonne, who took home the wins in 1971 and 1980.
