It’s a tennis story. It’s a family story. It’s a teamwork story. It’s the story of how I got to where and who I am today.
My story is about the power and joy of doing that thing you love and seeing where it can take you.
It reflects on my whole tennis journey – from the first time I picked up a racquet as a young girl in Queensland, to the night I packed up my tennis bag at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open. It explains how I worked through self-doubt, homesickness and a break from the sport to realise my tennis dreams, winning Wimbledon and ranking number 1 in the world.
Maybe my story will inspire you to follow your dreams – I really hope it does.
This remarkable memoir tells the story of one of Australia’s most successful tennis players. Ash Barty retired in March 2022 at just 26 years old as world number 1 and reigning ladies singles champion at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Off-court, she’s just as inspirational: a proud First Nations woman with a commitment to nurturing Australian youth, she’s already announced that her retirement from tennis will see her investing more of her time into community work.
Ash Barty: Champion is the official young readers edition of Barty’s #1 bestselling and award-winning memoir, My Dream Time. Readers across Australia were enthralled by Barty’s candid recount of her sharp rise to brilliance and fame. Now, Barty has gifted us the opportunity to share that same inspiration and wonder with our kids.
The memoir is pitched at independent readers, so if you’ve got a fan of Barty’s Little Ash series in your household, this might be best read with a parent or guardian! We recommend it for ages 10+, and it’s an especially good choice for kids who’d rather be off playing sport than reading – this is sure to get them hooked! The writing style is easy to follow, and the voice feels authentic to Barty – young readers will feel as though they’re receiving direct guidance from a sporting hero, which in many ways they are!
While there are plenty of insights into form and training for tennis lovers to pore over, Barty’s message extends way beyond the court. Leading by example, Barty demonstrates that anything is possible with enough determination. She also makes a great role model for kids through continually and fearlessly prioritising her well-being – even when that meant taking a break from the thing she loved in order to come back stronger.
After the fire that the Matilda’s lit this year, it’s so important that we continue to empower our young girls to get out there and have a go – and maybe, with enough determination, achieve sporting excellence! This inspirational insight into one of our country’s greatest sporting legends is sure to ignite a passion in its young readers.
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