Jelena Dokic lauds ‘inspirational’ Ashleigh Barty ahead of Australian Open final showdown against Danielle Collins

Australian tennis legends Jelena Dokic and Pat Rafter have lavished praise on Ashleigh Barty ahead of the Australian Open final on Saturday, with Dokic calling the world No. 1 “inspirational”. Speaking exclusively to Eurosport, Dokic, the former world No.

4, and Rafter, who twice won the men’s singles title at the US Open, both talked up Barty’s burgeoning legacy in her home country. Having swatted aside Madison Keys 6-1 6-3 in a businesslike semi-final, Barty is the first Australian to reach the women’s singles final in 42 years. Ad/> She will now face Danielle Collins in the tournament decider, with the American beating Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-1 in the other semi-final.

While Collins has been impressive over the last couple of weeks, Barty will be firm favourite to win the title on home soil. Australian OpenRafa the Great, Medvedev's meltdown and one umpire's stealth mission — Aus Open Diary2 HOURS AGO “Ash Barty is definitely one of those inspirational women, not just because of what she has done on the court and how successful she has been, but off the court as well,” said Dokic. “What she stands for, she is inspiring.

She is a role model to so many kids who look up to her. She is so proud of her heritage as well.” Rafter, meanwhile, pinpointed Barty’s 4-6 7-5 6-1 victory against Coco Gauff at the Adelaide International at the beginning of January as a crucial moment in her recent run of form. She went on to win the Australian Open warm-up tournament with further victories against Sofia Kenin, Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, setting herself up perfectly for the main event.