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My Dream Time
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.
WINNER OF THE ABIA AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY 2023
I'm only in my mid-twenties, and some might think that's young to write a memoir. Who does that, right? But for me and my team it's always been important to reflect on every part of the journey, especially the end. In that context, the timing is perfect to share my story, from the first time I picked up a racquet as a 5-year-old girl in Ipswich to the night I packed up my tennis bag at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open. This book gives me a chance to look back at every moment of the 20 years in between, and to think carefully through the highs and lows, the work and the play, the smiles and the tears.
Telling my story also gives me an opportunity to do more than simply thank those who mean the most to me - it provides a way to honour them as an integral part of that tale, as the very secret behind my success. Some of them you might know - such as my longtime coach, Craig Tyzzer - and some of them you might not - like my first childhood coach, Jim Joyce. There are mates like Casey Dellacqua and Alicia Molik. Mentors such as tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley and mindset coach Ben Crowe. My parents and sisters and my husband have sacrificed as much as I have over the years - this book is also for them.
My Dream Time is about finding the path to being the best I could be, not just as an athlete but as a person, and to consider the way those identities overlap and compete. We all have a professional and a personal self. How do you conquer nerves and anxiety? How do you deal with defeat, or pain? What drives you to succeed - and what happens when you do? The answers tell me so much, about bitter disappointments and also dreams realised - from injuries and obscurity and self-doubt to winning Wimbledon and ranking number 1 in the world.
My story is about the power and joy of doing that thing you love and seeing where it can take you, about the importance of purpose - and perspective - in our lives.
WINNER OF THE ABIA AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY 2023
I'm only in my mid-twenties, and some might think that's young to write a memoir. Who does that, right? But for me and my team it's always been important to reflect on every part of the journey, especially the end. In that context, the timing is perfect to share my story, from the first time I picked up a racquet as a 5-year-old girl in Ipswich to the night I packed up my tennis bag at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open. This book gives me a chance to look back at every moment of the 20 years in between, and to think carefully through the highs and lows, the work and the play, the smiles and the tears.
Telling my story also gives me an opportunity to do more than simply thank those who mean the most to me - it provides a way to honour them as an integral part of that tale, as the very secret behind my success. Some of them you might know - such as my longtime coach, Craig Tyzzer - and some of them you might not - like my first childhood coach, Jim Joyce. There are mates like Casey Dellacqua and Alicia Molik. Mentors such as tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley and mindset coach Ben Crowe. My parents and sisters and my husband have sacrificed as much as I have over the years - this book is also for them.
My Dream Time is about finding the path to being the best I could be, not just as an athlete but as a person, and to consider the way those identities overlap and compete. We all have a professional and a personal self. How do you conquer nerves and anxiety? How do you deal with defeat, or pain? What drives you to succeed - and what happens when you do? The answers tell me so much, about bitter disappointments and also dreams realised - from injuries and obscurity and self-doubt to winning Wimbledon and ranking number 1 in the world.
My story is about the power and joy of doing that thing you love and seeing where it can take you, about the importance of purpose - and perspective - in our lives.
Audible Audio
First published November 1, 2022
181 people are currently reading
1424 people want to read
About the author
Ash Barty
18 books20 followersAustralian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
January 11, 2023
I loved this as much as I thought I would. Getting inside her head and seeing what makes her tick. A great book for a tennis fan
December 6, 2022
Excellent! Written with a fluid, conversational style, this memoir gives insight into Ash Barty's head and thoughts and motivations, particularly behind her decision to retire from tennis age 25. Some lovely details of life on the WTA tour and friendships with players. It was also interesting to see the less-than-perfect Ash behind her (very real) nice girl persona, and see how the stressful life on tour affects players' physical and mental health.
Some may think 25 is too young for a memoir, but this point seems to be a major life change for Ash, and as such, the book is perfectly timed.
Recommended.
Some may think 25 is too young for a memoir, but this point seems to be a major life change for Ash, and as such, the book is perfectly timed.
Recommended.
January 22, 2023
Interesting memoir about Ash Barty's life on and off the tennis court.
The non linear style was a huge mistake. I couldn't tell what part of her career she was writing about throughout the book.
I did not appreciate the passive aggressive name drops either. Why does she dislike Danielle Collins? Can't just name drop and not explain why.
Does Ash think Daria Kasatkina is such a horrible player that throughout the book she refers to her 2018 Wimbledon loss to her as rock bottom?
I think the things that rubbed me wrong exceeded some of the positive messages in the book and there were many.
The way Ash makes herself out to be, I'm shocked she cared to share any of this to the general public.
The non linear style was a huge mistake. I couldn't tell what part of her career she was writing about throughout the book.
I did not appreciate the passive aggressive name drops either. Why does she dislike Danielle Collins? Can't just name drop and not explain why.
Does Ash think Daria Kasatkina is such a horrible player that throughout the book she refers to her 2018 Wimbledon loss to her as rock bottom?
I think the things that rubbed me wrong exceeded some of the positive messages in the book and there were many.
The way Ash makes herself out to be, I'm shocked she cared to share any of this to the general public.
June 12, 2025
Ash Barty was one of my favorite tennis players to watch. She was a player who would let her actions do all the talking not her mouth! When she lost, she was humble and would focus on what she could do better. She is a great role model for athletes everywhere, I know she was for juniors in our tennis academy. I really enjoyed getting to know her background of how she started tennis and of course her family. Outstanding book. Loved it as much as we love her.
January 2, 2023
Enjoyed but didn’t like how it wasn’t written in a sequential time line.
March 25, 2023
I really enjoyed listening to Barty's memoir. There aren't enough tennis memoirs out there for me, and this one does such a great job of being honest and vulnerable about the challenges of being a travelling professional athlete, the isolation of solo sports, and the financial challenges faced by young athletes, particularly in smaller nations. Barty comes across as humble and tenacious. A great read.
January 2, 2023
‘I hear two voices when I’m playing tennis. I always have. One whispers, ‘Ash, you’re not good enough,’ and the other replies, ‘Yes, you are – come on, Ash!’
I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this book. While I am not a great fan of tennis, I have enjoyed watching Ash Barty play. And I was intrigued to read a memoir from an accomplished young woman who retired from professional tennis still ranked #1 in singles.
In this memoir, Ash Barty deals with the highs and lows of her career in tennis, of the struggles she faced and of the team effort behind her. There’s a humility evident in this memoir: Ash Barty writes of those who have helped her, of the sacrifices her family made to enable her to achieve her dream and of knowing that it was time to quit. This book spans the twenty years between when Ash Barty first picked up a tennis racquet as a five-year-old in Ipswich and her retirement at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open.
‘The people in this crowd make me wonder about that separation professional athletes strive to find, between who we are and what people think of us – the psyche versus the story. They’re two separate entities, of course – the person and the persona – but they’re both real. They overlap, compete and sometimes coalesce.’
I wonder what the future holds for Ash Barty? She is a proud First Nations woman committed to creating sport and education opportunities for youth around Australia. As an advocate for children’s literacy, she’s published the six book Little Ash series for children aged 5+ (illustrated by Jade Goodwin) about school, sport, friendship and family.
Whatever Ash Barty does, I am sure she will tackle with the same purpose and sense of perspective as she did her tennis career.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this book. While I am not a great fan of tennis, I have enjoyed watching Ash Barty play. And I was intrigued to read a memoir from an accomplished young woman who retired from professional tennis still ranked #1 in singles.
In this memoir, Ash Barty deals with the highs and lows of her career in tennis, of the struggles she faced and of the team effort behind her. There’s a humility evident in this memoir: Ash Barty writes of those who have helped her, of the sacrifices her family made to enable her to achieve her dream and of knowing that it was time to quit. This book spans the twenty years between when Ash Barty first picked up a tennis racquet as a five-year-old in Ipswich and her retirement at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open.
‘The people in this crowd make me wonder about that separation professional athletes strive to find, between who we are and what people think of us – the psyche versus the story. They’re two separate entities, of course – the person and the persona – but they’re both real. They overlap, compete and sometimes coalesce.’
I wonder what the future holds for Ash Barty? She is a proud First Nations woman committed to creating sport and education opportunities for youth around Australia. As an advocate for children’s literacy, she’s published the six book Little Ash series for children aged 5+ (illustrated by Jade Goodwin) about school, sport, friendship and family.
Whatever Ash Barty does, I am sure she will tackle with the same purpose and sense of perspective as she did her tennis career.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 5, 2023
Really really enjoyed this! Currently in my tennis era💅🏼
Felt like it jumped around a lot
Felt like it jumped around a lot
March 18, 2023
A really interesting look into the behind the scenes life of an athlete like Ash Barty. It was very intriguing to read about the highlights and triumphs and disappointments of her career from her own point of view, which was quite often very different than the one the media portrayed. A really fascinating read, and beautifully written.
May 16, 2024
ash Barry is Such a wonderful person and writer. I enjoyed reading about the games and the points and how she felt. Very good
November 24, 2022
Loved every minute off it. Ash didn't give much away in post match interviews - but shared her thoughts and insights in the book. Particularly loved her retelling of some of my more stressful sport watching experiences of her Grand Slam wins. Helpful insight of the tennis players mind - Balancing doubt by confidence with sayings like "You can do it" "Let's go Ash" but also maintaining humility - as you don't want to become complacent.
January 31, 2023
Cryin
January 1, 2023
This is a great book to read at Christmas/New Year in Australia when the dull plop of the tennis ball on racket is a familiary sound. It was a sound that was very familiary to Ash Barty from a young age growing up in Brisbane as she became (like many Australians) captured by tennis. Ash developed to become of the greats of the game and her record as a top competitor having won Wimbledon and the Australian Open is known to all tennis fans (particularly Australians), but as her very interesting 'Memoir' tells us, it became a love/hate relationship as she not only battled the pressure of competition and injury, but the constant travel, particularly during the Covid lockdown. For those who were close to her, the announcement of her 'retirement' in March 2022 after winning the Australian Open in January came as a surprise, even though some members of her team had been suspicious for some time, but judging by how she has set up her life with her new house and the financial underpinning for her family, she is very, very well organised. I love the way that Ash plays, her style of play with the one-handed forehand and the sliced backhand are two strokes that she plays to perfection and even though she is quite short, she uses every means to give her serve as much height as possible. So as an Aussie who likes tennis I'll miss watching Ash play, but wish her all the best for a long and happy retirement. The book is worth a read too. It is very inciteful about how to train and play at the highest level of tennis, but also to me it is a happy book.
December 26, 2023
*3.5
i reckon i could win a grand slam now thanks to ash barty dropping the inside scoop on all the wta players
i reckon i could win a grand slam now thanks to ash barty dropping the inside scoop on all the wta players
September 20, 2023
Interesting enough. A little bit about her personal life and a lot about tennis which is ok as I don’t mind reading about sports in books. My dad was a massive tennis fan and every summer all I could hear from the telly was the tennis…thwack thwack, pop pop, grunt grunt. Lol. I loved playing tennis but not a fan of watching it. I did though watch the odd game when John Newcombe and Pat Cash played, and to have a laugh, John McEnroe.
A piece of trivia: Vegemite released the limited-edition Bartymite jars in 2019 and as I love the taste of Vegemite and collecting unique stuff I just had to invest in a Barty jar for the cool sum of $5.75.
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda/HarperCollins audio
Narrated by Miranda Tapsell
Duration: 9 hrs, 14 min. 1.50x Speed
A piece of trivia: Vegemite released the limited-edition Bartymite jars in 2019 and as I love the taste of Vegemite and collecting unique stuff I just had to invest in a Barty jar for the cool sum of $5.75.
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda/HarperCollins audio
Narrated by Miranda Tapsell
Duration: 9 hrs, 14 min. 1.50x Speed
January 14, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It opened my eyes and heart to all of the ‘behind the scenes’ shenanigans and the supportive team that are involved in building and maintaining a global sport star. I felt this was a heartfelt memoir with Ash sharing both her gratefulness for all of the experiences afforded to her with the various international tours and the difficulties she often faced when she was away from what fulfils her the most - family and home. Like many, I was initially surprised when Ash retired from tennis last year, upon reading this book though - while the world of tennis is now a bit emptier, I am so glad that the world of Ash Barty - the person, not the player - is more aligned to what brings her joy and happiness. Ash has contributed so much to the world and I have no doubt she will continue to do so. Here’s to memoir number 2 being written in a few years time!
March 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
This was a solid read. I did listen to this book actually so obviously my reading experience was different. But I did really enjoy it. I think if u didn’t love tennis the book might not be for you but I loved everything she put into her story. Her origins, her childhood, her wins and losses, her good times and her bad times but also just how she approached each game and the strategy behind the game of tennis. I also really loved reading a fellow Aussie’s story. It was really cool!! 🩷🇦🇺
It wasn’t my favourite memoir I’ve ever read but it was still very very good and different to the ones I’ve read previously which I also really enjoyed.
This was a solid read. I did listen to this book actually so obviously my reading experience was different. But I did really enjoy it. I think if u didn’t love tennis the book might not be for you but I loved everything she put into her story. Her origins, her childhood, her wins and losses, her good times and her bad times but also just how she approached each game and the strategy behind the game of tennis. I also really loved reading a fellow Aussie’s story. It was really cool!! 🩷🇦🇺
It wasn’t my favourite memoir I’ve ever read but it was still very very good and different to the ones I’ve read previously which I also really enjoyed.
December 30, 2022
Technically a 10/5
I’m not a tennis fan but I have always followed Ash’s career. To read about her behind the scenes during her 2.0 campaign, I completely understand why she wanted to retire.
They way she wrote the book was perfect and I think a lot of junior athletes, regardless their sport, can take a lot of lessons from her. I mean we all can but they are at that stage of their “career” where it can help them go that next level or assist in reaching their dream.
I’m not a tennis fan but I have always followed Ash’s career. To read about her behind the scenes during her 2.0 campaign, I completely understand why she wanted to retire.
They way she wrote the book was perfect and I think a lot of junior athletes, regardless their sport, can take a lot of lessons from her. I mean we all can but they are at that stage of their “career” where it can help them go that next level or assist in reaching their dream.
December 23, 2025
This was a really lovely, easy read through Ash Barry’s life and tennis career. Even as a non-tennis person myself, it was easy to follow and understand because of Ash’s laid-back, conversational writing and true-blue spirit. I did find the non-linear narrative a little confusing/frustrating at times, but I understood why Ash chose to write that way. Overall an enjoyable read!
December 26, 2022
Loved this book. A great story and validates who Ash is - a very talented but humble Australian who never lost sight of where she started. I enjoyed every page and read this in a couple of sittings. Highly recommended for lovers of tennis!
April 21, 2023
Fantastic. What a lovely style for a memoir, chatty, relaxed, insightful, fun.
Enough tennis-y detail to suit the sporting tragic and not too much for a casual fan like me.
Ash Barty has always been a player who really intrigued me as she always seemed to maintain her personal reality and live life on her terms and I am sure she will continue doing that going forward.
Enough tennis-y detail to suit the sporting tragic and not too much for a casual fan like me.
Ash Barty has always been a player who really intrigued me as she always seemed to maintain her personal reality and live life on her terms and I am sure she will continue doing that going forward.
July 28, 2024
Super interesting to see the mindset of a professional athlete at the top of their game but more so one that became so comfortable within themselves they quit while on top of the world. Miranda Tapsell was absolutely the perfect choice to read this.
November 19, 2022
Loved every minute of this ripping story.
December 30, 2022
An excellent autobiography. Beautifully written and incredibly insightful into the strategy and mindset required for elite tennis. The audio book is brilliantly narrated by Miranda Tapsell.
January 10, 2023
This wasn't too bad and I must it was pretty well written and gave an insight to professional tennis. I have to also say that there were parts where she really annoyed me, for example bemoaning she only had 10 days off before having to go to a sponsors lunch etc Tough life! However I thought about it more and I really appreciated her honesty and she didn't sugar coat too much at all so I respected that. I also realised that in 2022 she was still a very very young woman. Overall a goodread.
March 24, 2023
Ash isn’t just a phenomenal tennis player, she’s an incredible writer and human being too. The switching time zones worked so well to give context to the changes made to get her to the No. 1 position, and it was a wonderful insight into her thoughts, emotions, and actions behind the scenes.
May 5, 2023
3.5⭐️
May 14, 2023
3.5/5 ⭐️
I did enjoy the audible version but was disappointed it wasn’t narrated by Ash Barry herself. Was an interesting book regarding the world of tennis and how much of a strain it takes on your mental and physical health.
She had an amazing support network of friends, family and her team. I found it fascinating how she was so worried about announcing she was ready to retire at a young age. Considering she achieved soooo much!!
Lost a star also as I found it very disorganised at times and was chop and changing with years / events.
I did enjoy the audible version but was disappointed it wasn’t narrated by Ash Barry herself. Was an interesting book regarding the world of tennis and how much of a strain it takes on your mental and physical health.
She had an amazing support network of friends, family and her team. I found it fascinating how she was so worried about announcing she was ready to retire at a young age. Considering she achieved soooo much!!
Lost a star also as I found it very disorganised at times and was chop and changing with years / events.
March 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Ash seemed like a young girl who loved the game but didn’t want to leave her family. She loves her family and her country and these things came across in the book. Highly recommend this book.
July 15, 2024
Really great story about an Aussie legend. Worth the read as Ash opens up about her struggles amongst her great career.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews