It was a moment that made for a dream denouement to Ash Barty‘s Australian Open triumph – and master of ceremonies Todd Woodbridge has now revealed in brilliant detail how the plan came to be.
After winning the women’s singles final on Saturday night, Barty received an incredible surprise during the celebration ceremony when Australian tennis royalty and dear friend Evonne Goolagong Cawley emerged from Champions’ Walk, arriving to present the world No.1 the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
“We have a special guest to present the finalist’s trophy,” Woodbridge announced.
“Would you please welcome a 13-time grand slam champion, four-time winner here at the Australian Open. She is a champion of our game. Put your hands together for Evonne Goolagong Cawley!”
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The Rod Laver Arena crowd stood and erupted in applause and Barty, her dimpled smile beaming across her face, bowed her head in disbelief.
When Woodbridge was asked about the surreal moment on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio, the Australian tennis great explained a smart ploy behind the surprise.
“Obviously I was sworn to secrecy because I did the presentation and I had to announce that (Goolagong Cawley) was about to walk onto the court,” Woodbridge said.
“The card that had that line in my notecards that I held … wasn’t handed to me until I had just about walked up on the stage, even though I knew it was coming, in case someone saw my notes.
“Nobody knew. It was absolutely brilliant.
“I was staring down the camera from the MC position and I had the stand right behind it and as soon as I said her name everybody stood up.
“It was really quite an incredible moment.”
Barty paid tribute to Goolagong Cawley on her way to Wimbledon glory last year, wearing a white skirt that featured a scalloped hem.
It was a nod to the outfit in which Goolagong, 19 at the time, won the singles grand slam at the All England Club in 1971.
Goolagong Cawley won four Australian Open singles titles between 1974 and 1977.
In Barty’s maiden Australian Open title win on Saturday night, the 25-year-old defeated American Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6 (7-2) to become a three-time singles major champion.
Woodbridge had towering praise for Barty’s Melbourne Park campaign.
“Goes through the tournament without losing a set, and then in the final has a bit of a wobble where her opponent came at her, lost her forehand for a little while and then at 5-1 down says, ‘OK, enough’s enough. I’m going to start taking this back on’,” Woodbridge said.
“And then whacks forehand winners for the next six games, gets back in and wins it.
“Just one of the best Opens I have been at because of the fact that we had that Aussie winner.”
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