Not since 1976 has an Australian woman been ranked as high as Ash Barty is now.
On Monday, following her remarkable run to the French Open title, Barty was confirmed as the new No. 2 in the WTA rankings.
Barty ended several droughts for Australian tennis in Paris. The 23-year-old became the first Australian to win the singles title at Roland-Garros since Margaret Court in 1973, and also became the first Australian to win a Grand Slam singles title since Sam Stosur in 2011.
Now, Barty is the first Australian woman to be ranked as high as No. 2 since Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who achieved the feat 43 years ago.
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On Sunday, Barty emerged in front of the world's media, grasping the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen with a white-knuckled grip.
For so long, Australian tennis fans yearned for a player to honour Stosur's great work this decade, a player so near to so much, yet so far.
With a cheeky smile and dry wit, Barty is just what the doctor ordered, and despite all the attention that will follow her maiden Slam singles triumph, she kept her head.
"It's disbelief more than anything. I turned around to my team and couldn't believe what had just happened," she said on Sunday.
"It has been a crazy two weeks, a magical two weeks and I loved every minute.
"But it's just been an incredible journey over the last three years. All the work we've put in has amounted to this."
The Queenslander was keen to keep the celebrations low-key with coach Craig Tyzzer and her team after defeating Markéta Vondroušová in the final.
However, she said the opportunity to play in a Slam singles final began with a simple promise to herself, which she embraced from the first round.
Just smile, and enjoy yourself.
"Once we got back to the hotel, we just went out to dinner and stayed at the restaurant," she said.
"We didn't get home too early, but it was a good night. It was a pretty quiet night, but a night to celebrate not only the last two weeks, but last three years.
"I promised myself that in my matches I'd walk out onto the court with a smile, and that I'd enjoy it and embrace it.
"[Sunday] was not different. I kept saying to myself that I may never get this opportunity ever again in my life.
"Try and grab it with both hands, enjoy it, love it, smile, and try and play your best."
The sky is the limit. @rolandgarros champion @ashbar96 rises to No.2 in the @WTA rankings today 🚀 pic.twitter.com/DhLHSMSs6n
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) June 10, 2019
In a statement, Goolagong Cawley praised Barty's "beautiful" game.
“What a wonderful result for Australia and how exciting that another Aboriginal has won at the French," she said.
"I’m almost scared to say it but it’s now 48 years ago since I won my first Slam there too.
"Tennis Australia and all lovers of tennis here and around the world will be delighted by the natural skills and flair Ash possesses.
"Now they have developed into a beautiful game full of artistry, movement and power. It was there for all to marvel at in Paris. She is a joy to watch.
"Ash has already heard from me and knows how happy I am for her and her lovely family."
