As Ash Barty claimed her maiden Australian Open title on Saturday, former world No. 1 Serena Williams likely had a knowing smile on her face.
While Barty has replaced Williams at the top of women's tennis in recent years, it was the American who played a telling role in ensuring the Aussie got there.
Barty famously walked away from tennis in 2014 to pursue a cricket career but after 15 months was eventually lured back to the court.
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Among the reasons for her return, an encouraging text from Williams seems like it may have played some part.
"Ash was in a restaurant I think and Serena sent her a message saying ‘You are too good a player to retire . . . you have to come back,'" Barty’s first coach, Jim Joyce, told The Courier Mail earlier this week.
The two players faced off for the first time at the Australian Open in 2014 and though Williams won the match 6-2, 6-1, Barty clearly left an impression on the American.
Since then, the duo have only played each other on one other occasion with Barty giving Williams a scare at the French Open in 2018 before the Aussie was defeated 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Williams, now 40, has been unable to take part in the past two Grand Slam events, and her last major victory now dates to the 2017 Australian Open.
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In her absence, Barty has taken the tennis world by storm. She earned her first Grand Slam win at the 2019 French Open - in the same year she claimed the mantle of world No. 1 for the first time.
After a challenging 2020, the Aussie has enjoyed a stellar past 12 months, winning the 2021 Wimbledon crown before adding the 2022 Australian Open to her collection.
Barty defeated American Danielle Collins in the final 6-3, 7-6(2) on Saturday. She went the whole tournament without losing a set.
The Australian's first Grand Slam triumph at home has been celebrated far and wide with even her supposed rivals on tour joining in, a sign of just how much respect she has earned on and off the court.
Huge congrats to my friend @ashbarty 🏆
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 29, 2022
Amazing performance! Sooo happy to see you with that trophy ❤️#ausopen
There is just no better tennis player at the moment than @ashbarty
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) January 29, 2022
Most complete and focused! The way she is able to put pieces together and add a bit more to her game is absolutely admirable! What an example!
Congrats champ to you and all your team ❤️
Ashhhhh!! Always happy to see that big smile when you win.
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 29, 2022
Enjoy every second of this sweet victory at home, you deserve it 🤗🏆#AusOpen @ashbarty
No one deserves it more than @ashbarty 🏆! Congrats for winning this special title at home ☺️🇦🇺 @AustralianOpen https://t.co/xrz7xWNWGH
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 29, 2022