Australian women rise to top of sporting world with great humility

Australian sportswomen Ashleigh Barty, Sally Fitzgibbons and Hannah Green are celebrating their triumphs with a common humble theme.

Sally Fitzgibbons, Ashleigh Barty and Hannah Green

Sally Fitzgibbons and Ashleigh Barty both crowned world number one in their respective sports and Hannah Green won golf's LPGA Championship Source: Getty Images

One wanted a hug. Another thirsted for a beer. A third wept tears of joy.

A triumphant trio of Australian women reacted with a common theme after delivering an unheralded burst of brilliance to Australia's sporting landscape.

Within a dozen hours; Australia found three fresh sporting heroines.

Around 11pm Australian time on Sunday night, Ashleigh Barty became women's tennis world No.1 - and was planning a celebratory brew.

Ashleigh Barty wins WTA event in Birmingham
Ashleigh Barty of Australia lifts the Maud Watson Trophy after victory in her final match against Julia Goerges of Germany to become World No.1 Source: Getty Images Europe


Three hours later in Brazil, Sally Fitzgibbons became the top-ranked women's surfer in the world - and wanting a hug from her dad.

Within another five-and-a-half hours in the United States, Hannah Green claimed women's golf's LPGA Championship - and was crying tears of happiness.

They celebrated their individual success with a collective commonality: thanking, and thinking of, family and friends.

Barty won the Birmingham Classic to take tennis' top-billing.



And despite playing the most singular of sport, Barty says her new-found status belongs to a team.

"It has just been the most amazing journey for myself and my team," she said.

"We have got to this point by doing all the small things right.

"It has certainly just been the most amazing month of tennis for us."

Barty, a 23-year-old, born in Ipswich, Queensland, is the first Australian woman to take the women's tennis top ranking in nearly half a century.

Her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley is the only other Australian woman to hold the No.1 spot since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1973.

Barty was planning a beer or two to celebrate with her camp, while surfer Fitzgibbons had a similar big picture view of her personal triumph.

Oi Rio Pro 2019 - WSL Championship Tour 2019
Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia wins the 2019 Oi Rio Pro for the third time in her career after winning the final at Barrinha, Saquarema Source: World Surf League


Like Barty, Fitzgibbons thought instantly of her wider tribe as she embraced her father on the shores at Saquarema in Ro de Janeiro State.

"A big hug from my dad ... and I know my mum's watching out there with all my family and friends," she said.

"And just the team that had my back. It has all part of the process and they have all chipped in and it's pretty cool."

KPMG Women's PGA Championship - Final Round
Hannah Green of Australia is congratulated by friends on the 18th green after winning the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club Source: Getty Images North America


Later, 22-year-old Green won her breakthrough Major golf title in Chaska, Minnesota with support from her idol, mentor and compatriot Karrie Webb.

"It really makes me tear up," Green said, before offering to help raise the profile of women's golf in Australia.

"Girl's golf in Australia isn't as big as it is here but I think we are now starting to get everything in order to become better," she said.

"If I can help in any way possible, I would love to."


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