A leading mindset coach has unveiled the powerful two-word mantra that Australian tennis icon Ash Barty used to clinch her breakthrough Grand Slam victory. The pivotal moment came during a tense semi-final at the 2019 French Open, where Barty faced a daunting deficit.
The Turning Point at Roland Garros
In 2019, Ash Barty, seeded eighth, found herself in a precarious position during her French Open semi-final against American talent Amanda Anisimova. After surrendering the first set in a tiebreaker, despite having led 5-0, Barty's nerves were palpable. The situation grew more dire when she fell behind 3-0 in the second set, appearing destined for defeat.
However, Barty observed her opponent beginning to hesitate. At this critical juncture, she drew on her work with renowned leadership and mindset guru Ben Crowe. As she prepared to serve, she uttered a decisive, two-word phrase to herself: 'I decide.'
From Hunted to Hunter: A Champion's Mindset
According to Crowe, who has also mentored figures like Dylan Alcott, surfer Stephanie Gilmore, and the Richmond AFL team, this simple affirmation catalysed a complete mental transformation. "Her perspective pivoted from hunted to hunter, from victim to victor, all because she remembered one simple truth: she had a choice," Crowe explained to News Corp.
Empowered by this shift, Barty stormed back to win the match on the Parisian clay. Just days later, she secured her maiden major title, defeating Markéta Vondroušová in a straightforward final to lift the trophy at Roland Garros.
A Legacy Forged and a New Chapter Begun
That first Grand Slam triumph in Paris proved to be the foundation of an extraordinary, albeit brief, period of dominance. Barty subsequently conquered Wimbledon in 2021 and triumphed at her home Grand Slam, the Australian Open in 2022. Her rise to world number one was meteoric, making her decision to retire from professional tennis in March 2022 at just 25 years old all the more stunning to the sporting world.
Today, Barty is embracing a different role as a mother of two, sharing her life with husband Gary Kissick. "We are very grateful that we've got two happy and healthy kids that have brought so much joy and chaos into our lives," the 29-year-old said. "It's about appreciating the little things each and every day. I'm very lucky."
The revelation of her simple yet profound mental strategy offers a compelling insight into the champion's mindset that defined one of modern tennis's most respected careers.
