Latest news with #AshBarty
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Australia's Maya Joint defeats Emma Raducanu at Eastbourne International ahead of Wimbledon
Australia's Maya Joint has defeated former US Open champion Emma Raducanu at the pre-Wimbledon Eastbourne International. Joint's 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) win booked a quarterfinal berth on the same day six of her compatriots reached the final round of Wimbledon qualifying. The 19-year-old is already in the women's main draw at Wimbledon but could be joined by world number 209 Emerson Jones. Jones must beat France's Diane Parry in the final round of Wimbledon qualifying to become the youngest Australian to make the women's main draw since Ash Barty in 2012. After losing the first set to 38th-ranked Raducanu, Joint dominated her opponent, winning 11 of the next 14 games to move into a 5-2 lead in the deciding set. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, fought back, breaking Joint three times. But Joint held her nerve to force a tiebreak, before delivering a fantastic off-balance backhand to earn match point at 6-4. She served her third ace of the match for one of the best wins in a burgeoning career that has seen her jump from 1,384 in the world 18 months ago to her current ranking of 51. Joint will move inside the top 50 if she can beat Russian world number 69 Anna Blinkova in the quarterfinals. "Today was really tough, there was a lot of up and downs, lot of momentum switches, but I'm really glad that I was able to tough it out in the end," said Joint, who had lost to Raducanu on clay at the Italian Open. "I'm really glad I was able to win this one. I definitely try to hit the lines. Doesn't always work, so I'm glad it worked today. "But I think I'm an aggressive player, I like to use my backhand and am trying to learn how to play all-court." Meanwhile at Roehampton, 16-year-old Jones, Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, Alex Bolt, Li Tu and James McCabe all booked places in the final round of qualifying for Wimbledon. Jones is on the verge of her first main-draw appearance at a major outside Australia after beating Serbian Lola Radivojević 6-4, 6-4. There is the prospect of 19 Australians earning spots in the singles draws for Wimbledon, which begins on Monday. AAP
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘A great of Australian sport': how Minjee Lee rose to top in a golden era of women's golf
The finest triumph for Australia's highest-paid sportswoman was accompanied by something unusual. For the usually private, impassive Minjee Lee – after winning her third major at the Women's PGA Championship near her second home in Dallas, Texas – tears were a glimpse into her recent pain. A 19-month winless run. A collapse at last year's US Open. An adoption of the broomstick putter, a very public symbol that everything was not right. But those experiences were consigned to the past after sinking a par putt on 18 in Frisco. 'It's very different, because I feel like I had a lot of doubt the past few years,' she said. 'I think this one just means a little bit more to me.' The West Australian won by three strokes to earn $2.8m and become only the third Australian golfer to claim three different major championships, after Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson. Even Greg Norman only found major success at a single tournament, the Open Championship, in his two victories. Lee's coach Ritchie Smith said it can be difficult to comprehend just how much Lee has achieved. 'It's a golden era for women's golf, and she's still a great,' he said. 'It's hard for me to say, because I'm her coach and I'm biased. I don't think she's just a great of golf, I think she's a great of Australian sport.' The likes of Ash Barty, Sam Kerr, Lauren Jackson, Ellyse Perry and Stephanie Gilmore have been recognised as Australia's most successful female sportspeople in the past decade, all as standard bearers in globally competitive sports. But while Lee had risen to become the second-ranked golfer in the world by 2019, her profile – at least in Australia – was not at the same level as her peers. Outside the men's majors, golf does not have the same cut-through or broad appeal as other codes, and when it does reach a broader Australian consciousness, it is usually thanks to the achievements of PGA stars such as Adam Scott or 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith. Lee's softly-spoken manner and reserved demeanour is also less than a natural fit with publicity. Her profile has even been challenged by her younger brother Min Woo, now Australia's top-ranked men's golfer. He has emerged as a legitimate star on the men's PGA Tour over the past two years, with a brash social media status enhanced by a stream of celebrity colabs. But over 11 years on the LPGA tour, Minjee's winnings still dwarf the prize money won by her brother, and are approaching US$20m. Even if the younger Lee passes that figure, he almost certainly will not end his career with anything near the list of her accomplishments. Minjee Lee is only the fifth active player to have won three majors alongside Lydia Ko, Yani Tseng, In Gee Chun and Anna Nordqvist, and only Ko is younger. The Australian knows she should have had another too, after she led by three shots in the final round of last year's US Open before she 'blew up' – as she described afterwards – to finish ninth. Across Lee's many years as a professional, Smith has observed how she handles defeat less with disappointment and more with embarrassment, and the US Open result was about as bad as it could get. On the sport's highest stage, there was Lee, fully exposed. 'To capitulate the way that she did last year, it had a really negative effect on her,' Smith said. 'So to reinvest into actually being in a vulnerable position like that, it takes a long time, and this is what people don't understand. 'She's risked being vulnerable in front of a whole heap of people, and I couldn't be prouder of her to be honest, because that's a scary proposition.' Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Lee was asked by the host in the trophy ceremony whether she now wishes she had adopted the longer putter 'a little bit earlier'. She laughed and said 'no'. It was an acknowledgement of the importance of her recent adversity. Rather than just biomechanics, Smith said Lee has undergone psychological change. 'She's been so guarded and stoic for her whole career,' he said. 'And now, if you have a look at her, her interview at the end of the round, there were actual emotions, she shed a tear – which is probably the first time she's ever done that.' Smith believes the process means Lee can now be happier in the sport. 'All of her 'being' revolved around being a really great golfer, but when you emotionally disengage a little bit, then all of a sudden you can be the person that you want to be. And I don't know if you notice, but she smiles a lot more now.' Lee admits the criticism affected her. 'The more I heard, like the media and other people saying things about my putting, I think it got to me more and more over time.' Yet that difficult period is now over. A major winner again, Lee said this week's triumph – highlighted by a champagne shower on the 18th green delivered by those familiar with her struggles – was 'my most deserved'.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Former Wimbledon champion, 29, resurfaces in viral ad with Rafael Nadal three years after bombshell retirement
A FORMER Wimbledon champion resurfaced in a viral ad alongside Rafael Nadal. The Australian superstar was the No1 tennis player in the world and reigned at the All England Club in 2021. 7 7 7 She then followed it up by winning her home Grand Slam in January 2022. But Ash Barty, 29, stunned the sporting world when she suddenly retired from tennis two months later at the top of the game. She has kept a low profile since, getting married to golfer Garry Kissick and welcoming the second of her two children last week, a daughter called Jordan. Now, though, after three years out of the public spotlight, Barty made a shock comeback. She stars in a hilarious 90-second commercial for car manufacturer Kia to promote their new pick-up truck, the Kia Tasman. Barty plays the role of Tasman Town's newest resident after buying a fixer-upper crumbling old house in the countryside. She then calls in a load of 'tradies' to get the pad in shape - with Australian sporting heroes including Erin Phillips, Peter Daicos, Dane Swan, Jason Gillespie, Buddy Franklin, Alexander Volkanovski, Dylan Alcott and Pat Rafter all arriving on site in their Kia Tasmans. Two-time Wimbledon finalist Rafter - naturally - is in charge of the turf with his company 'Best On Grass'. But when they spot the roof is in need of repairs, recently-retired Nadal is called in, having been sponsored by Kia for many years. And the Spaniard - dubbed Rafa's Roofs - hilariously picked up the video call on his phone and left Australians in stitches with his cameo and response. He said: "I am flat out." Then leaning in towards the camera, he asked: "Is it a cashie?" - Aussie slang for an under-the-table cash-in-hand job. Like Nadal, Barty won the French Open - albeit just the once in 2019. That came just two years after she returned to tennis' majors following a two-year absence from the biggest tournaments as she took a break from the sport - and even played semi-pro cricket. Since hanging up her racquet for good, the Queensland queen has even played in pro golf tournaments as well as having her two children. Barty was a pundit for the BBC at Wimbledon last year and proved a popular addition - but the timing of Jordan's recent arrival may rule her out of 2025's tournament. 7 7 7 7
The Australian
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Australian tennis ace Ash Barty announces birth of second child
Australian tennis ace Ash Barty has welcomed her second child to the world. Barty announced the birth of baby girl, Jordan, on her Instagram on Monday afternoon. 'Welcome to the world, Jordan,' the 29-year-old wrote next to a cute photo of the baby yawning in a onesie with the words 'Embrace your weird'. 'You are loved unconditionally and we are so grateful to have you in our arms, gorgeous girl.' It's the second child for Barty and husband Garry Kissick. Their son Hayden will soon turn two. Ash Barty is a mum, again. Ash Barty shared a first pic of Jordan. Picture: Instagram Fellow sports stars and celebs were quick to offer their congratulations. 'There she is, hi gorgeous Jordan. Can't wait to cuddle you soon. Good job Mum and Dad xx,' wrote tennis great Casey Dellacqua. Swimming great Giaan Rooney commented: 'Huge congratulations team!'. And Dr Chris Brown shared similar sentiments: 'Congrats you guys!! So special.' Barty and Kissick announced they were expanding their brood in an Instagram post late on Christmas Day. Hayden appeared in the post in a T-shirt reading 'I am going to be a big brother'. The caption read: 'Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours!'. Ash Barty is having baby number two. Picture: Ash Barty/Instagram Ash Barty and husband Garry Kissick. Picture: David Geraghty In an interview with the Courier Mail in January, Barty opened up about the most surprising thing she had learned about parenthood. 'No two days are the same! Being patient and learning to accept that it's OK to not get it right all the time. It's hard but it is the greatest thing I've ever done, I feel very lucky to have Hayden,' she said. Read related topics: Ashleigh Barty Maria Bervanakis Morning Digital Editor Maria Bervanakis is the Morning Digital Editor at News Corp's Premium National News Network. With more than a decades' experience at News Corp, she leads a team to produce national and world stories across all masthead titles. @bervanews Maria Bervanakis
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Why NBA champion chose WA's South West as his escape
When you're seven feet tall like former Chicago Bulls star Luc Longley, poking at those hard-to-reach places around the house doesn't often require a ladder. The three-time NBA champion — now based in Perth — has joined a host of recognisable Aussie sports personalities to star in the latest Kia Tasman ad premiering tonight during State of Origin in Perth. Lacking the nimbleness of co-stars Ash Barty or former AFL gun Dane Swan, Longley is tasked with getting 'in the paint' as the famous figures give a run-down property some love. Even Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal, who's no stranger to clay, offers to get his hands dirty. Dane Swan joins the party at Ash Barty's Kia Tasman-inspired home reno. Credit: Enthral Unfortunately, Longley suggests, raking in rebounds and providing assists to former teammate Michael Jordan came a little more naturally than getting hands-on at home ever has. Actually, it depends who you ask. 'It's funny, because my wife would say I'm really handy — my friends would say that I'm not,' he told The West Australian. 'I believe in horses for courses. If you want a job done right, you get a professional but I can turn my hand to anything, just probably do it badly, except, obviously for painting, because Ash (Barty) got the best.' Relocating to Perth in the last couple of years with wife and celebrity chef Anna Gare, Longley spent decades escaping the bright lights of the court and stresses of life in WA's tranquil South West region. Elephant Rocks, William Bay National Park. Credit: Beau Jones @beahjones (Instagram) In 1991, the 56-year-old purchased a property 15 minutes outside of Denmark upon turning professional. 'It was the first thing I bought with my professional basketball money. And I always wanted to have a sanctuary,' he said. Claiming the town was 'much sleepier back then', the HoopsFest ambassador was attracted to the natural landscapes and close proximity to the ocean. He even hosted fellow Sydney Kings co-owner Andrew Bogut, a fellow NBA champion, at his property recently as the pair took a dip in the majestic waters. But Longley wouldn't divulge all of his favourite hideaways. 'Secret spots aren't for giving up, but Greens Pool, Elephant Rocks, Madfish Bay, that whole chain of coast along there is for exploring, for sure,' he said. Andrew Bogut has represented Australia at the Olympics. Credit: METHODE / METHODE Longley admitted the pair don't always see 'eye-to-eye', but respect what the other has achieved as two of the premier seven-foot exports to find success in the NBA. As to who would win a one-on-one if each were in their prime, Longley is as curious to find out as the next Aussie basketball fan. 'I'd love to get in that time machine. Have a go at it,' he teased. 'I mean, he was quicker than me, which he'll happily tell you, so I probably would have had trouble with him in the in the full court, but I'd handle him in the half court. No worries.'
