Fresh from her Australian Open victory, Ash Barty couldn't be any higher in the estimations of her fellow citizens.
But she may yet add another top gong to her name as early as next month.
The Ngarigo woman's stirling efforts to become to world's top tennis player have seen her enter the running for the prestigious Laureus 2022 Sportswoman of the Year accolade.
Last year Barty comfortably retained her place as world No.1 while also taking the Wimbledon crown among five victories around the world.
Should she win, she would be the first Australian to scoop the award since Cathy Freeman in 2001, following her immortal Olympics glory in the 400 metres.
Swimming champ Emma McKeon has also been nominated, following her successful campaign at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Australian pair, though, face tough competition for the award from Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah, the triple sprint champion in Tokyo, American track legend Allyson Felix, US swimming superstar Katie Ledecky and Spain's Ballon d'Or-winning footballer Alexia Putellas.
The nominees were selected by a panel of 1,300 sports journalists globally, with the winners to be announced in April following a vote by the 71 Members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
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