- Rod Laver and Evonne Goolagong Cawley lead tributes
- #BartyParty Twitter hash tag takes off on social media
Any doubt about Ashleigh Barty’s popularity inside and outside the tennis world has been blown away by the incredible reaction to her French Open triumph. The 23-year-old’s Roland Garros breakthrough not only catapulted her to world No 2 but sparked a wave of support from across the globe.
Tennis legends Rod Laver and Evonne Goolagong Cawley led the tributes. Laver, who has been following Barty’s charge courtside in Paris, praised her poise throughout the tournament.
Related: Ashleigh Barty: a humble and hugely popular grand slam champion | Simon Cambers