Stat of the Year, No. 5: Ashleigh Barty ends 44-year drought for a home champion at Australian Open

Ashleigh Barty’s run to the Australian Open title this year was a masterclass from start to finish—she didn’t drop a set the entire tournament, and she was only broken three times in 58 service games. It gave her the third piece of a Career Slam, following victories at Roland Garros in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021.

But there was another, more historic aspect to her triumph in Melbourne that brought the country to its feet: Barty was the first Australian to win the Australian Open in 44 years, which was the longest drought for a home champion—men and women combined—at any of the four Grand Slams in the Open Era.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Barty said after her 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory over American Danielle Collins in the final.

“I think as Aussies, we’re exceptionally lucky to be a Grand Slam nation. To get to experience to play at home is really special, and to be here as a champion of the tournament is really exciting.”

LONGEST DROUGHTS FOR A HOME SINGLES CHAMPION AT A MAJOR IN THE OPEN ERA (men and women combined):
~ 44 years: Australian Open [Chris O’Neil 1978, Ashleigh Barty 2022]
~ 39 years: Wimbledon [Virginia Wade 1977, Andy Murray 2016]
~ 22 years: Roland Garros [Mary Pierce 2000 to present]

The longest drought at the US Open in the Open Era is the current one, which is at six years and counting (between Sloane Stephens winning it in 2017 and the 2023 edition of the event, at least).

Here are a dozen more things Barty achieved in Melbourne this year.

And check back tomorrow for our No. 4 Stat of the Year…