In his relatively green career, Ashleigh Barty made another history by winning the first WTA Finals title in his first appearance at the end of the season tournament.
Meeting defending champion Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals top party in Shenzhen, Australian tennis player, Barty came out as champion with a 6-4 6-3 victory.
The title extends the list of achievements of 23-year-old Barty throughout the 2019 season, including when he won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open. He also ranked 1st in the world and now holds this prestigious position for 15 weeks and is the first Australian to become world number 1 at the end of the season.
“I think this season has been an extraordinary season with lots of ups and downs, but I think there is more improvement than decline. To close it with a very, very special day like this in Shenzhen feels really cool, “exclaimed Barty.
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“To get through a week like this, you have to beat the best of the best players available.”
Barty, who went through the group phase with a 2-1 record, was unable to find a way to overcome Svitolina’s resistance until the tenth game when he created three break point chances and finally took advantage of his third chance by firing a forehand winner to claim the first set.
In the first eight games in the second set, there were five break chances before Barty took a 5-3 lead and won the first win over Svitolina from the six matches they played.
“I think he played really well. He mobilized 100 percent of his abilities, so the match was very, very fierce, “I’m Svitolina.
“I just missed my chance and that made the difference. But he became world number 1 for a reason. “
In addition to bringing home the WTA Finals trophy this season, Barty is also entitled to get a prize money of 4.42 million US dollars.
However, this season is not over for Barty who will soon be heading for Perth to strengthen the Australian team in the Fed Cup final against France.
“There is still a very important week to close this perfect season. “The Fed Cup Final is something I have been looking forward to for quite a long time,” added Barty.
“Playing for your country and yourself in front of friends and family, representing Australia, wearing green and gold uniforms, there is nothing better than that.”
Previously world number 1 Ashleigh Barty booked a place at the top WTA Finals in Shenzhen and will challenge defending champion Elina Svitolina – a player she has never defeated in five previous meetings.
