Exclusive: Ashleigh Barty on Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020: ‘[This] is the pinnacle’

It was the evening of 25 September 2000, the night that Cathy Freeman would win the 400m final at the Sydney Games, cementing herself as an Olympic champion, athletics icon – and hero to millions of Australians – especially those who shared her Indigenous heritage.

One of whom was watching about 1,000 kilometres away in the small Queensland town of Ipswich. A young girl, Ashleigh Barty, not yet five years old, stared at the green, gold and gray glow of Freeman’s tracksuit through her TV and witnessed Freeman’s triumph along with the rest of the world.

"I remember her outfit... and, not really knowing a lot [else] of what was happening being such a youngster," Barty told Olympics.com in a recent exclusive interview.

Freeman-pace fast-forward to June 2019 and it was Barty’s turn to make history, now a professional tennis player, and champion at the French Open at age 23. The Australian, now with 11 career singles titles, is the current world No.1 in women’s tennis, and will make her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 this month.

Barty plays in Saturday's (10 July) Wimbledon final against Karolina Pliskova, and could become Australia's first female champ at the famed event since her mentor, fellow Indigenous great, Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980. Barty's on-court attire this year pays homage to Goolagong Cawley.

As for the Olympics? She has golden dreams of her own.

Barty: An affinity for the Games

From Freeman and athletics to a deep swimming tradition to successes in cycling, rowing and sailing, Australia has nearly 500 Summer Olympic medals in the history of the Games. The country has a unique affinity for the Olympics.

“I think so many Aussies feel connected to the Olympics because it's a way to connect to the athletes,” Barty explained. “The Australian team is always a team of unity [and] togetherness. And I think that every single Australian in the public, everyone feels a part of that team. [It] brings people together to enjoy the experiences and live through the special moments – and the heartbreak as well – with the athletes.”

Australia has won five medals in tennis – most recently Alicia Molik’s bronze in women’s singles at Athens 2004. The prolific doubles team of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde – the Woodies – are the lone gold for Australia in the Games, capturing the title at Atlanta 1996.

While tennis is an individual sport played on the WTA and ATP Tours and at the Grand Slams year-round, Barty has been known to excel in team formats, in particular, and helped the Australians to the Billie Jean King Cup team event final in 2019.

“The green and gold for me is always the pinnacle,” Barty said of the Australian team colours. “I've had a very small taste of it in [Billie Jean King Cup], but I think the Olympics is the pinnacle of every sport. It's a remarkable place to be able to test yourself against the best in the world. All of the best athletes in the world come together in one place, which is which is quite special.

“And I think the experience that will be spine tingling.”

A special connection with Cathy Freeman

Barty became a junior champion at Wimbledon 2011 at the age of 15. While a meandering path – including a mental health break from tennis to stay at home more and try out pro cricket – to the top of the sport wasn’t run-of-the-mill, she has always been outspoken about her heritage as an Indigenous Australian.

She has forged a friendship with another Indigenous great and Grand Slam champion in Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and has connected with Freeman, as well.

"Cathy has been a very special person to me over a long time,” Barty said. “And I think even speaking to her, particularly after the Australian Open in 2020, it was a big moment for me being able to call her and tell her about some of the experiences and the feelings that I was going through. It was incredible."

At the Australian Open in 2020, Barty was one of the tournament favourites, only to fall in the semi-finals to eventual champion Sofia Kenin as the nation held its breath – a feeling Freeman was certainly familiar with.

"She's been an idol for me growing up,” Barty added of Freeman. “She's been an idol and an icon for so many young Indigenous girls and boys all across Australia. To be able to connect with her and actually have a relationship with her personally has been amazing."

"I think everyone knows and remembers where they were when she won that that incredible final," Barty said of Freeman.

#StrongerTogether: Barty’s sweet spot

Tennis fans know well that Barty has an affinity for the word "we" in referring to the team around her, led by longtime coach Craig Tyzzer. Sure, she plays alone out on the court, but the team atmosphere is always something that has suited her best.

In fact, her first Grand Slam triumph at the senior level was in doubles – in 2018 at the U.S. Open.

"I think being a part of the Australian Olympic team will be nothing short of remarkable," Barty said of the coming Tokyo 2020 squad."

What does "stronger together" mean to Ash?

"I think it's just unity; it's teamwork,” she explained. "It's me backing you, mate. It's, you know, Aussies. We've got each other's back. We go in, you look after each other and you do it together. And I think that being part of an Olympic team that is just absolutely at the forefront. It's a value. It's a pillar that Aussies stand by. And I like to be a part of it."

Golden dreams – and shot put?

What Barty would also like is the chance to play for a medal. Women’s tennis is chock full of stars, including Japan’s Osaka Naomi, Rio 2016 silver medallist Angelique Kerber, fellow Wimbledon finalist Pliskova, young Canadian star Bianca Andreescu and more.

But Barty’s game is particularly well-suited for the outdoor hardcourts of the Ariake Tennis Centre in Tokyo, which boasts similar conditions to six of her 11 career singles trophies.

While she has played pro cricket, has a single-digit golf handicap and is friends with world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore – what other Olympic sport might she like to try out if she could?

"I would love to try different things,” she said. “I think probably growing up at school, I loved track and field so I think I’d love to try a shot put or discus or something like that. I think would be real interesting."

"Or in swimming, I think 1500m [freestyle]... that's an incredible race. Remarkable."

Then she added: "And I don't know if I'd actually want to try that, but it'd be very cool to be a part of."

That four-year-old little girl from Ipswich watching Cathy Freeman in 2000? She still has plenty of dreams of her own to live out.