Australian tennis star Ash Barty pocketed a whopping AU$6.4 million on Sunday night as she secured a win at the WTA Finals in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. The 23-year-old sporting star beat Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-3 to take home the huge prize, which is the largest ever in tennis history.
But while the prize might have given Barty’s bank balance a huge boost, the humble Aussie star, from Ipswich, Queensland, revealed that she doesn’t plan to allow the windfall to change her, admitting that she still plans to spend her downtime with her family.
Speaking after the incredible win, the world number one told AAP that she has “everything that she needs” before revealing her plans to spoil her niece Lucy, three, and two-year-old nephew Oscar this Christmas.
“Thankfully they can’t read but for Christmas they’re getting a new swing set, which they’re pretty excited about now that they’ve got the trampoline and swing set out the back,” she added, according to News.com.au.
“So, look, I mean the amount of zeros you have in the bank account doesn’t change how I’m going to spend my off-season and spend time with my family. Because that’s one of the biggest times that I miss throughout the year, is spending genuine time with them.
“It’s great that I can buy them things that they love but I live a pretty simple life. I’m not living an extravagant life. I’m pretty happy in my little house at home. I’ve got everything that I need. I’m pretty boring. I don’t really spend a lot on myself.”
The huge windfall is larger than any prize ever taken home by other tennis greats in a single tournament, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The seven figure sum has also taken her total winnings for this season to $16.37 million.
Barty’s astonishing performance on the pitch wasn’t the only thing that got people talking last night though, as the young player also suffered a rather X-rated – albeit funny – slip of the tongue during her post match press conference. Addressing the crowd, she said: “First and foremost, thank you to the Shitty … ah, the city of Shenzhen.”
It’s been an incredible year for Barty, who became the second Australian woman to be crowned world number one earlier this year, after Evonne Goolagong Cawley. The pair are now the only Australians to top the WTA rankings since they were introduced in 1973 – with Goolagong Cawley staying number 1 for a fortnight in 1976.
Barty rose to the top in June after winning the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham in the UK, beating German tennis player Julia Goerges 6-3 7-5. However, despite her own mammoth success, Barty remained humble and gave a moving speech dedicated to her opponent.
She told Goerges: “I couldn’t think of a better person to share the court with. You’re one of my best friends on tour and you’ve been there for me since I was a little ‘tacker’.”