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During the summer of Omicron, there was widespread dissatisfaction due to two years of inconsistent lockdowns. To add to the frustration, black communities nationwide were still dealing with the aftermath of Invasion Day, leading to protests against blak deaths in custody.
However, in the evening, we had a source of excitement. Ash Barty was dominating the Australian Open and uniting a nation in support. It had been over forty years since someone from this country had won the Open, but it seemed like that was about to change.
I have a confession – I wasn’t necessarily a huge tennis enthusiast, but I was a big fan of Barty. I joined in on the “Barty party” and only became a fan relatively late, after her amazing victory at the 2021 Wimbledon, which happened to be 50 years after her mentor, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, a Wiradjuri woman and tennis legend, achieved the same feat.
And sure, part of the allure of the Barty party was the joy that came with rallying around an athlete at the prime of their career, winning title after title. Another drawcard was Barty’s delightful presence post match – calm, incredibly modest and quick to flash a cheeky grin.
But for Barty, mob, her pull was not just about that. As a child, I had many black athletes to admire and I would proudly mention my distant family ties to NRL legend David Peachey. However, apart from my top idol Cathy Freeman, the culture at the time did not celebrate black female athletes in the same manner.
During that summer, there was a change in the air. Barty, who held the title of world number one, was competing in her home country. She had become a household name and her pride in her Ngarigo ancestry was well-known. Rumors of her being related to others were spreading rapidly.
During the final event, Barty faced off against American tennis player Danielle Collins. This match not only captivated viewers with record-breaking TV ratings, but also marked a significant moment for black women in the world of sports.
Following her straight sets victory over Collins, Barty was in for a surprise.
Goolagong Cawley had been unwell and before the tournament she told Barty she was unable to attend. But after a last minute change of heart, a cloak-and-dagger plan was hatched to get her to Melbourne and into the arena without anyone knowing the wiser.
The announcer announced that a special guest, Goolagong Cawley, would be presenting the finalist trophy. As she appeared on the court, there was an uproar from the crowd. Barty’s shocked expression turned into a bright smile.
Just when we thought one special aunt’s appearance was all we needed, the camera shifted to Cathy Freeman, who was proudly snapping photos on her phone in the audience. She wasn’t just a bystander, but also a reliable source of support for Barty.
Barty praised Cathy’s talent, recalling a time when they spoke on the phone after Barty’s semi-final defeat. Barty was emotional and sought comfort from Cathy, who shared her own experiences.
This moment was overwhelming for me and many others. Seeing three beloved faces together and three black women supporting each other was a huge boost of happiness. I watched from home and had trouble expressing myself, so I simply tweeted their names with a lot of exclamation marks. It has been one of my most popular tweets to date.
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Emma Kemp, who was reporting from the sidelines for Guardian Australia, expressed the importance of taking a moment to acknowledge when you are experiencing a significant moment in history.
“I made it a priority to take a few minutes and fully absorb the experience because I believe it will be remembered as one of those iconic moments in sports, similar to Cathy Freeman’s performance at the 2000 Olympics,” she shared on the Full Story podcast.
Barty later humbly expressed her gratitude for being a part of this significant moment and leaving behind a lasting legacy.
She expressed, “I am nowhere near their caliber.” Cathy and Evonne are remarkable individuals and athletes who have inspired many of us. I am still striving to emulate their success and become the best version of myself.
Only a short while after competing in the 2022 Australian Open, the Barty celebration abruptly and surprisingly ended when it was announced that she was retiring from tennis at the young age of 25. Barty had reached her limit.
She stated, “I have dedicated all of my efforts to this wonderful sport of tennis.”
During a period when athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles were stepping away from competition to acknowledge its taxing effects on their physical and mental well-being, Barty’s choice was deserving of praise.
I am grateful that she provided us with what she was able to. I am grateful for the unforgettable evening she gave us – filled with unexpected moments, jubilation, and Black happiness.
