Ash Barty

"You always learn a lot more when you lose."

Ash Barty is one of Australia’s most beloved sports personalities. She is a former professional tennis player and cricketer, and was the second Australian tennis player to be ranked world No. 1 in singles – a title she held for more than two years.

Barty is a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, taking home titles from the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open, not to mention her prowess in the doubles game.

Additionally, she is also a published author several times over. She has two autobiographies to her name, including My Dream Time, which won the 2023 ABIA Award for Best Biography, and Champion, the young readers edition of her autobiography.

Furthermore, Barty has released a number of kids’ books as well. This includes her ‘Little Ash’ series, which begins with Perfect Match! and offers an inspirational tale of sport, school, friendship, and family for young readers.

Australia is incredibly proud to claim Ash Barty as their own, and we’re even more proud to also claim her as a talented Australian author.

Meet Ash Barty

Ashleigh Jacinta Barty was born in Ipswich, Queensland in 1996. Both her parents played golf at a state representative level, which perhaps contributed to Ash’s predilection for tennis at an early age.

She began working with a coach at just four years of age, and by 12, she was playing against adult men. By the time she was 17, she was away training for most of the year, spending less than a month at home due to her hectic schedule. However, all that work paid off, and she was winning titles and playing in top tournaments throughout her teens.

After several years making a name for herself in tennis, Barty took a break from the sport to play cricket in 2014. Despite never before playing cricket, she soon excelled with Western Suburbs and the Heat for two years.

Eventually, she returned to tennis, where she won the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021, and the Australian Open in 2022. She then announced her retirement from the game and is now the National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador for Tennis Australia.

What genres does Ash Barty write in?

She writes autobiographies and children's books (early-reader and middle-grade) with a strong sporting focus.

Which autobiographies has Ash Barty published and which should I start with?

Her two autobiographies are My Dream Time (full biography) and Champion (young readers edition). Start with Champion for a youth-friendly version, or My Dream Time for the complete adult biography.

Does Ash Barty have any children's book series or recurring titles?

Yes. Her 'Little Ash' series begins with Perfect Match!, and she has Tennis Camp Diaries titles such as Doubles Disaster and Superstar, plus other kids' books like My Dream Holiday.

What themes do Ash Barty's books explore?

Her books commonly explore sport, school, friendship, family, and inspirational elements drawn from her sporting journey.

Has Ash Barty received any awards for her writing?

Yes. My Dream Time won the 2023 ABIA Award for Best Biography.