Barty cries tears of joy as she emulates Evonne
The wobbles of Wimbledon struck Karolina Pliskova and Ash Barty in a women's final that delivered devilish drama and a marvellously charismatic new champion.
Barty's big moment at the All England Club has finally arrived, the world No.1 making good on the aim she publicly set herself by landing the second grand slam of a career, and one that could yield many more.
As she joyfully paraded the Venus Rosewater Dish around Centre Court, it hardly mattered that the 25-year-old had staggered across the winning line.
When she raced up to the players' box to hug coach Craig Tyzzer and boyfriend Garry Kissick, they were not asking why she had not got the job done in straight sets.
When Barty's thoughts turned to her hero, Evonne Goolagong, and tears began to flow, all that mattered to the Queenslander was that she had achieved her tennis destiny.
Barty won the girls' Wimbledon tournament in 2011 and 10 years later has achieved a rare double by adding the women's title, joining Ann Jones, Martina Hingis and Amelie Mauresmo as the only players to do so in the Open Era.
She has joined Margaret Court and Goolagong in becoming a women's champion for Australia at the All England Club, and Barty holds the latter in the highest regard.
They share an indigenous background, and 50 years after Goolagong landed the first of her two Wimbledon titles, Barty did just enough to fend off Pliskova and add her own name to the board of champions.
Barty called it "an exceptional match right from the start", and that verdict can probably be put down to the adrenaline of being a newly crowned champion.
She also spoke of having managed precious little sleep ahead of the match, which might explain some of the erratic side of her performance.
And then the BBC's Sue Barker asked her about Goolagong.
"I hope I made Evonne proud," Barty said, the first tears beginning to stream.
Barty has left home to pursue this dream, having chosen to spend almost all of 2020 back in Greater Springfield, near Brisbane, away from the world's worst COVID-19 crises.
Her family have remained in Australia, and Barty has made the trip worth it with this triumph.
"I know they're at home watching. I miss them, I love them," Barty said. "I can't wait to get home to them in a few months' time and really celebrate."
She suggested celebrations in her bubble would be "low key". The Barty party will have to wait.
