Ash Barty: Champion

by Ash Barty

Official young readers edition of Ash Barty's #1 bestselling and award-winning memoir.

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

Paperback

About the author

Australian Ashleigh Barty was a professional tennis player on the Women's Tennis Association tour from 2011 to 2022 (with a break from late 2014 to early 2016). Widely regarded as one of the sport's most naturally talented players, Ash's game style and ability to play a wide variety of shots set her apart from her opponents. Ash's off-court manner endeared her further to the tennis community and fans around the world. With her signature unassuming approach, confidence to forge her own path and commitment to being a good person before all else, she became a role model for many.

Ash announced her retirement from professional tennis in March 2022. Ranked WTA World No. 1 and the reigning ladies singles champion at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, she departed from the sport as one of the most accomplished players ever. Her tennis achievements include: 3 Grand Slam singles titles, 1 Grand Slam doubles title, 12 WTA singles titles, 11 WTA doubles titles and an Olympic bronze medal for mixed doubles. Ash held the WTA World No. 1 ranking for 114 consecutive weeks, the fourth-longest streak in tour history, behind Steffi Graf (186 weeks), Serena Williams (also 186) and Martina Navratilova (156). In all, Ash spent 121 weeks at World No. 1, the seventh most in WTA tour history, surpassed only by Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, Chris Evert, Martina Hingis and Monica Seles.

A proud First Nations woman, Ash is committed to creating sport and education opportunities for youth in communities around Australia. A passionate reader and advocate for children's literacy, Ash has published the best-selling Little Ash series for ages 5 and up. Ash is a huge believer in the long-term benefits of reading for children, and the Little Ash series engages young readers due to its popular themes of sport, family, friendship and school, plus its appealing illustrations and easy-to-read language. Ash's next chapter is yet to be written but will certainly involve a new set of goals and dreams, expanding her community work, spending time with her family and her dogs, and enjoying many sports as a fan.

Reviews

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and inspiring

[Alicia Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my 9-year-old and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The story is told with good humour and filled with beautiful lessons of perseverance, resilience, friendship and humility. As a non-tennis watcher, I found the level of specificity with which Ash Barty described each match a bit tedious, especially since I was reading aloud and couldn’t pronounce any of the names. But aside from that, I loved it.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing!

I couldn't put this book down, I loved that this book was easy English, I was able to understand Ash's tennis journey. Ash was honest, and I felt her every emotion in this book.

I don't normally read biography types of books due to heavy complex English, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a light read.

[Shane Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Aussie, brilliant read 🥰

[Tina Binding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked the young reader version by accident and thought it was amazing. Aussie Aussie Aussie

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read about Australia's much loved tennis player. Well suited to a younger/teen audience.
Contains information about her tennis career.

[Harper Hamdorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

gorgeous tennis star 💕

[Cara Nitescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this and related to this so fricking much 😍🎾

[Glenys · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book for young adults wishing to work toward a goal in any sport.
Ash Barty is quite honest about her early achievements and the trials that she went through as she worked out what her future might be.
It paints a different picture of the gracious world champion that she became.
It also makes very clear that she did not see tennis as her ultimate goal. A lover of sport in general and now a wife and mother as well as a writer for children, she leads a fulfilling life.