World number one women’s tennis player and Australian Open champion Ash Barty has sneaked into the Northern Territory to run a number of tennis lessons as part of Tennis Australia’s Racquets and Red Dust program.
Key points:
- World number one tennis champion Ash Barty wows crowds at kids’ tennis clinics in Uluru and Alice Springs
- Barty ran clinics as part of Tennis Australia’s Racquets and Red Dust program
- She says the program inspires her and the children she teaches.
With Uluru as a backdrop, Barty, a woman from Ngarigo, spent the day in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park teaching children from the small indigenous community of Mutitjulu.
The red, dusty centre court was a far cry from Barty’s triumph over American Danielle Collins at Rod Laver Arena earlier this year but equally important to inspire another generation of tennis players.
Barty said the experience of meeting the 16 children from Mutitjulu School was life-changing, knowing that many of them had never played tennis before.
“This day was an experience… for me and for the children.
“I think being offered this opportunity is very exciting for me.
“What lights me up the most is seeing them smile, trying something new for the first time and doing it, it reminds me of what it was like for me,” she said.
Barty said the program helped participants learn new skills in a safe environment.
“It’s hand-eye coordination.
“It’s the connection between hitting the ball and the coordination of learning how to hit in different movements.”
No courts, just dust at a recent tennis clinic in the Northern Territory. (Provided by Tennis Australia)
Uluru to Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
On Saturday morning in Alice Springs, Barty received a rock star welcome at the local tennis school by local students.
Elizabeth France, 10, an aspiring tennis champion, said she couldn’t believe the news when she found out Ash Barty was offering internships at the Red Centre.
Elizabeth France meets her tennis idol, world number one Ash Barty. (Provided by: Sarah France)
“I was speechless and about to cry.
“Because I was really excited to meet Ash Barty,” she said.
Elizabeth had the opportunity to have success with the world number one and pick up some tips.
“She said she liked my tennis racket.
“(She told me) to slow down a little bit when I hit the balls because sometimes I hit them really, really hard,” she said.
Elizabeth said she wanted to play tennis professionally.
“When I’m 15, I’ll go on tour for the Australian Open and I’ll play the other cups as well.”
Elizabeth said she asked her idol a question.
“I asked her, ‘When I win the Australian Open, will she give me the trophy?’
“She said yes.”
