Oi Oi Oi!

That face you make when you just won Wimbledon... pic.twitter.com/9xnGu8JPXt

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) July 10, 2021

Already a French Open champion, world number 1 Ash Barty is now a Wimbledon champion. Her 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova in today's final marked the realization of a lifelong dream for Barty, and brought the Venus Rosewater Dish to an Australian for the first time in 50 years. 

Throughout the tournament, Barty wore a scallop-hemmed dress in tribute to Evonne Goolagong, who wore a similar dress when she won her first Wimbledon title in 1971. Their bond is especially close, in that Goolagong is both a friend and mentor to Barty, and both women are of indigenous heritage. 

🇦🇺 @ashbarty 🤝 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 🇦🇺

Whether it's 2021 or 1971, you always remember your first...#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/djzUM8Buft

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2021

Pliskova had not played in a major final since 2016, when she lost the U.S. Open title to Angie Kerber. In today's match, the Czech star showed up in the first set appearing to be what used to be known as a "nervous wreck," unable to find her signature superior serve, and unable to control anything on the court. Down 0-3 in the opening set, Pliskova got on the scoreboard, but it was relatively easy for Barty to take the set, 6-3.

A Championships to remember ☺️

Thank you, @KaPliskova #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/7yyA6ncGTj

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2021

Pliskova found her game (most notably, her serve) in the second set, though she continued to lag behind. Barty served for the championship at 6-5, but was broken, and the set went to a tiebreak, which Pliskova won, 7-4, as Barty's forehand repeatedly broke down. The third set held the promise of being a tight one, but Barty would have none of it. Despite having to deal with a serious challenge from a now more in-form Pliskova, the world number 1 went on to win the set 6-3, and to claim the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Barty had to retire from her second-round match at Roland Garros because of a left hip injury. That may have turned out to be one of those "good luck, bad luck, who knows?" things, in that she she had some time to rest and recover. 

The 2021 Wimbledon champion has traveled her own unusual path to the number 1 ranking. A doubles star on the tour, Barty left for two and a half years and played professional cricket. Upon her return, she decided to focus on her singles game, and the rest is history. An all-around athlete, during 2020, she took the entire year off because of the Covid-19 crisis, and--during that time--won a golf tournament.

"To be able to be successful here at Wimbledon, to achieve my biggest dream, has been absolutely incredible," Barty said of her victory. "The stars aligned for me over the past fortnight." 

I don't think that the stars are going away any time soon.