Even Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous athlete, Cathy Freeman, is in awe of Ashleigh Barty this Australian Open.
Barty’s barnstorming run to the competition’s semi-finals leaves her just two matches away from becoming the first Australian woman since Chris O’Neil in 1978 to win the Open on home soil.
“I can confidently say on behalf of Aussies and particularly the Indigenous community we’re very proud of her,” Freeman said at Thursday’s Inspirational Lunch.
Freeman’s defining gold medal victory in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics proved an inspiration to young girls, athletes and the Indigenous community.
Barty, a proud Ngaragu woman, is on the verge of making her own mark on the Australian sporting landscape.
“I think the impact that she can have on everybody but particularly young girls is quite profound,” Freeman said.
“Her achievements and her story will get onto the psyche and into the blood of so many young girls around not just Australia, but the world, it’s very cool.”
Freeman praised the world No.1’s temperament and attitude ahead of her semi-final against American Sofia Kenin.
“She’s an amazing role model,’ Freeman said.
“She seems to have a really good head on her shoulders, really community-minded, not too overawed by the success she’s having – it’s wonderful.”
Having reached the pinnacle of her sport on home soil, Freeman kept her advice to 23-year-old Barty simple.
“Its really important to just trust in your own, trust in yourself and trust in your training and your preparation and just know that we’re there for you as keen sporting enthusiasts and (a) crazy champion-loving population,” she said.