“Nobody knew about it” Todd Woodbridge REVEALS the details behind Ash Barty’s Australian Open Final surprise


“Nobody knew about it” Todd Woodbridge REVEALS the details behind Ash Barty’s Australian Open Final surprise

Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong

Ash Barty made history when she won the final of the Australian Open 2022 by defeating Daniel Collins in straight sets . She became the first Australian to win the Australian Open title in 44 years. She was dominant throughout the tournament and didn’t drop a set enroute to her title win.

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With this win Barty is the only second active women’s player to win a Grand Slam title on all three surfaces, the other being former World No.1 and 23 time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams. The trophy presentation was a bit emotional for Barty, as she received the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from her mentor and Australian tennis legend, Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

Todd Woodbridge reveals how they planned the surprise to bring Ash Barty’s idol Evonne Goolagong

Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty

Initially, Goolagong was reluctant to travel to Melbourne as she was unwell, but Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley convinced her after Barty made it to the finals. Goolagong accepted the invite, but she insisted that her presence be kept a secret from everyone including Barty so that it wouldn’t distract Barty’s preparations for the final.

Master of ceremonies, Todd Woodbridge revealed how this surprise panned out behind the scenes. “Obviously I was sworn to secrecy because I did the presentation and I had to announce that (Goolagong Cawley) was about to walk onto the court. The card that had that line in my notecards that I held wasn’t handed to me until I had just about walked up on the stage, even though I knew it was coming, in case someone saw my notes“, he said.

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Nobody knew. It was absolutely brilliant“, Woodbridge exclaimed about the plan to surprise Barty.

Ash Barty was surprised by the announcement and gave a huge grinning smile on hearing that Goolagong will be the person presenting her trophy.

I had spoken to her earlier in the week and knew that she wasn’t going to be coming to this tournament and to have her surprise me and hand me a beautiful trophy is a moment I will never forget“.

Barty shares a close relationship with Goolagong, who became Barty’s mentor 10 years ago. She even paid tribute to her during her Wimbledon triumph last year, when she sported a white skirt with a scalloped hem. This was to honour Goolagong who wore a similar outfit when she won the Wimbledon title back in 1971, as a teenager.

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Also read: “The biggest dream I had as a child” Ash Barty picks THIS tournament over her Australian Open win