Aussie tennis darling Ash Barty prepares to wear a classy outfit at Wimbledon – and there’s a beautiful hidden meaning behind her all-white ensemble
- Barty, 25, will wear a skirt emulating her idol, 1971 champion Evonne Goolagong
- Women’s world number one and top seed takes on Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro
- At Wimbledon, all players must wear white on court, as it is tournament tradition
Australian tennis ace Ash Barty is set to pay tribute to her idol at Wimbledon.
The women’s world number one and top seed at the All England Club will walk out to Centre Court on Tuesday night (AEST) wearing a white skirt featuring a scalloped hem – just like Evonne Goolagong Cawley did so elegantly as a 19-year-old in 1971.
It has been 50 years since the supremely talented Indigenous Australian athlete won the coveted grass grand slam – and as a result, Barty has chosen to publicly emulate her hero.
‘It is hard to put into words how much of an impact Evonne has had on the culture of tennis in Australia and on me personally,’ Barty told sponsor Fila.
‘I don’t think there is anyone more iconic in our sport.’
Evonne Goolagong hits a forehand at Wimbledon in 1971 – she won the tournament aged just 19
Women’s world number one Ash Barty will pay tribute to her idol at the 2021 All England Club wearing a white skirt featuring a scalloped hem – just like Evonne Goolagong Cawley did as a 19-year-old in 1971
Goolagong Cawley is said to be humbled by the accolade, stating it ‘just blows her mind’ and it was ‘a truly fantastic thing to do.’
The eye-catching outfit worn by Goolagong Cawley was designed by Ted Tinling, who single-handedly helped shape fashion in women’s tennis.
‘Ted always made such beautiful dresses,’ she told Tennis Australia in the lead up to Wimbledon.
The mandatory all-white dress code for players at the All England Club is always a talking point each year.
Introduced in 1890 to reflect the elite nature of the upper class sport, exemptions are not tolerated.
White strictly means the colour white, not off white or grey.
As any player or spectator will tell you, tradition is everything at Wimbledon.
Barty, 25, takes on Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro on Tuesday night from 10.30pm for a spot in the second round.
With Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka absent in 2021, it looms as a huge opportunity for Barty to snare a second grand slam title after winning the French Open in 2019.
The Brisbane raised Barty has also confirmed she will play in the Tokyo Olympics.
‘I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of an Australian team,’ she told CNN on Tuesday.
‘To be in an Olympics is something I’ve always dreamt of. We have such a rich history of Australian Olympians being successful, but it’s not always just about the success.
‘It is about the team coming together and uniting as one. I can’t wait.’
Evonne Goolagong Cawley is said to be humbled by Ash Barty’s pending on-court accolade, saying it ‘just blows her mind’ and it was ‘a truly fantastic thing to do’
With Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka absent from Wimbledon in 2021, it looms as a huge opportunity for Barty to snare a second grand slam title after winning the French Open in 2019 (pictured with partner Garry Kissick)