illustration by Samantha Miduri for use by 360 Magazine

Ash Barty Conquers Wimbledon!

Rado ambassador Ash Barty’s star is rising higher and higher. In an interview last year with ABC News she was quoted: “One day I would love to be the champion here, it’s a dream”. That dream became reality on Saturday when she defeated Karolina Pliskova in the final of the oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam tournament – Wimbledon. 

Even before her latest exploit, the 2021 season has been a terrific one for the Australian tennis star. Ranked World Number 1 since June 2019, she has already added three more singles titles to her impressive personal record. After her win at the Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne in February, she claimed the title at the Miami Open (WTA 1000) in March and won both singles and doubles titles at the Porsche Grand Prix Cup in Stuttgart. With her second Grand Slam title (after Roland Garros in 2019), she consolidated her Number 1 position in an impressive way. 

According to Ash’s childhood coach, she picked up her first racquet at the age of 4 and hit the first ball he tossed to her right back to him. A Junior Wimbledon Champion at 15 and three-time Grand Slam Doubles finalist at 17, Ash became Australia’s highest-ranked player at 21 and the World Number 1 at just 23. In addition to her 12 career singles titles, Ash has won 11 career doubles titles, playing with different partners. Now 25 years of age, she enjoys a well-earned reputation as one of the WTA’s most dynamic and talented players. 

Ash Barty’s Rado connection goes back to 2017 when she joined the Swiss watchmaker’s YoungStar programme. With Rado, she shares an abiding love of the game, unwavering determination, and a passion for endlessly inventive and creative play. Ash also enjoys the design aspect of the relationship and worked with Rado designers to develop the look of the Rado HyperChrome Ash Barty Limited Edition. After this off-court experience she said: “As a watch lover, I enjoyed working on the design and helping the team create this beautiful piece. I love it!” And so, apparently, do her friends and fans: Ash and Rado have started work on a second Limited Edition Rado that will carry her name. 

Ash Barty has renewed her association with the brand and serves today as an ambassador for Rado, which stands with tennis fans everywhere in taking pride in her achievements and stature as one of the greatest players in the game. 

Rado has been a committed supporter of tennis and sponsor of international tournaments for close to 40 years and is the Official Timekeeper for a range of high-profile tournaments around the world.

Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty 2020 Limited Edition

Movement: Rado calibre R129, quartz, 7 jewels, 3 hands, date at 3 o’clock 

Case: Polished white high-tech ceramic case Stainless steel bezel with 60 diamonds, 115-120, Top Wesselton, VS-SI, full-cut, 0.390-carat Stainless steel side inserts Titanium case back with sapphire crystal Stainless steel crown Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides Water-resistant to 5 bar (50m) Case back with an engraving of Ashleigh Barty’s signature and LIMITED EDITION,  ONE OF 123 

Dial: Mother-of-pearl, silver coloured applied indexes Silver coloured printed Rado logo Hands:  Silver coloured 

Bracelet:  3-row polished white high-tech ceramic Titanium 3-fold clasp 

Dimensions: 36.0 x 41.9 x 10.4 (WxLxH in mm)

Leave a Reply