Robert Barty at Port Douglas Tennis Club

Ash Barty’s dad spreading the word

Paul Makin

Journalist

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Robert Barty is travelling QLD on behalf of his daughter Ash. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM

It’s not every day you get to speak to the dad of a world number one tennis player and to be able to interact with him.

Last night, the members of the Port Douglas tennis club had this opportunity as Robert Barty visited the club to give a presentation on the journey his daughter, Ashleigh Barty, has been on.

Ashleigh Barty is ranked No. 1 in the world in singles by the Women's Tennis Association and a national hero in Australia. 

Around 50 people turned up to hear Robert Barty speak. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
A free BBQ was supplied compliments of the Barty family. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM

She is a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, and the reigning champion at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Ash is also a Grand Slam doubles champion, having won the 2018 US Open with CoCo Vandeweghe and has won 15 singles titles and 12 doubles titles on the WTA Tour.

Joan Berzinski, secretary at the Port Douglas Tennis Club said it was a wonderful opportunity for their members, juniors and parents to learn more about playing tennis at a high level. “I think it is great to have someone like Robert coming out to regional areas to promote our sport”, she said.

When she received an email from Robert Barty asking if they would be interested in a visit, she didn’t hesitate a minute. “He said he was planning a road trip from Brisbane to Far North Queensland. I emailed him straight back and said we were interested in a visit from him”.

Before his talk, which he did from one of the tennis courts at the complex on Davidson Street, Robert told Newsport “It was Ash herself who actually decided she wanted to assist parents and young children so that they can realise their dream,. She said to me; dad let’s go out to all the regional places in Queensland and share my story and try and give the young kids and their parents an idea of how you can make it in sport and in particular tennis ”.

Robert has made sixty visits to regional centres in Queensland so far, with this current trip having 18 stops on it. “It’s just something Ash wants to do to give back to the community and there is no cost to anyone, even the BBQs are cost free to the tennis clubs we visit”.

A crowd of around fifty parents and children turned up to hear Robert speak and he had them mesmerised by his daughter’s story. Robert says there are lots of Ash Bartys out there, it’s just a case of finding and nurturing them.

The proud dad also revealed that both he and Ash suffered from depression at one time, however while he took medication to help overcome it, his daughter beat the ‘black dog’ without drugs. “Such was her determination to be the best at what she took on” he said, “nothing stops my daughter when she decides to do it”.

Ms Berzinski is a big fan of Ashleigh Barty. “There isn’t a lot not to like about Ash, she is so down to earth and shows such great sportsmanship. She is such a great role model for any aspiring young players.

It is not the first time the club was honoured by a visit from a famous tennis player, Judy Dalton is a regular visitor of the club and Evonne Goolagong Cawley visited us one year ago. Hopefully we will have Ash herself visit us one day”.

The Tennis Club members would have taken away a lot from what Robert said. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
9 year old Hugo Aitken putting everything into his swing. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
4 year old Hannah Bowler contemplating being world number one in 21 years. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
Robert Barty had the small crowd enthralled. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM

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