ADVERTISEMENT

Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty is now the world's number one female player

Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty has cinched the top spot in the world tennis rankings after beating Germany's Julia Gorges 6-3, 7-5, in Sunday's final of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham.

Ashleigh Barty tennis
ADVERTISEMENT
  • The 23-year-old from Queensland now becomes the third Australian woman in history to hold the number one ranking in the world in singles by the Women's Tennis Association, beating out Japan's Naomi Osaka.
  • Barty now heads to Eastbourne International for her last event before Wimbledon, which starts on July 1.

Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty has cinched the top spot in the world tennis rankings after beating Germany's Julia Grges 6-3, 7-5, in Sunday's final of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old Indigenous Australian from Queensland now becomes the third Australian woman in history to hold the number one ranking in the world in singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), following in the footsteps of Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Margaret Court.

ADVERTISEMENT

Japan's Naomi Osaka previously held the top spot but was struck down in the second round in Birmingham.

"It's been the most incredible journey for me and my team," Barty said on the court after her win, according to 10 Daily .

Barty took a hiatus from tennis in late 2014 to play cricket for the Brisbane Heat in the women's Big Bash League, but returned to the sport in 2016, earning considerable success. She has won several singles and doubles titles on the WTA Tour including the Grand Slam singles title at the French Open this month.

The former junior Wimbeldon champion celebrated her win over Grges, her doubles partner whom she has called "one of my best friends on tour," according to the BBC , with a simple tweet.

American tennis giant Billie Jean King congratulated Barty on Twitter and caller her an "inspiration to the next generation of young players in Australia."

ADVERTISEMENT

Barty now heads to Eastbourne International for her last event before Wimbledon, which starts on July 1.

See Also:

SEE ALSO:

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

How SafeHamsters unlocks the potential of crypto betting| Insider Tips

How SafeHamsters unlocks the potential of crypto betting| Insider Tips

A look into the diverse tax reforms being implemented across Africa

A look into the diverse tax reforms being implemented across Africa

Dubai firm to lend South Sudan $12.9 billion in exchange for 20 years oil repayment

Dubai firm to lend South Sudan $12.9 billion in exchange for 20 years oil repayment

China dethrones USA as the most influential global power in Africa: Report

China dethrones USA as the most influential global power in Africa: Report

Major African economies expecting inflation ease into next year, except Nigeria

Major African economies expecting inflation ease into next year, except Nigeria

10 African countries with the lowest price changes in household commodities

10 African countries with the lowest price changes in household commodities

Dangote refinery outranks Europe's 10 largest refining facilities

Dangote refinery outranks Europe's 10 largest refining facilities

Africa may just have the lowest level of cyber threats compared to other regions

Africa may just have the lowest level of cyber threats compared to other regions

A look into Kenya’s Shs1.1 billion climate funding from the UK

A look into Kenya’s Shs1.1 billion climate funding from the UK

ADVERTISEMENT