Women's tennis world number one and Australian Open champion Ash Barty has snuck in the Northern Territory to conduct a number of tennis clinics as part of Tennis Australia's Racquets and Red Dust program.
With Uluru as a backdrop, Ngarigo woman Barty spent the day in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park teaching kids from the small Indigenous community Mutitjulu.
The red dusty centre 'court' was far from Barty's triumph over US Danielle Collins at Rod Laver arena early this year but equally important to inspire another generation of tennis players.
Barty said the experience of meeting the 16 children from Mutitjulu school was a life-changing experience for her, seeing that many of them had never played tennis before.
"This has been today an experience … for me as it is for the kids.
"I think providing that opportunity is so exciting for me.
Barty said the program helped participants learn new skills in a safe environment.
"It's the hand-eye coordination.
"It's the connection of hitting the ball. It's the coordination of learning how to swing in different swings."
From Uluru to Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
On Saturday morning in Alice Springs, Barty received a rock star welcome at the local tennis school by local students.
Aspiring tennis champion, 10-year-old Elizabeth France said she could not believe the news when she found out that Ash Barty was offering clinics in the red centre.
"Because I was really excited to meet Ash Barty," she said.
Elizabeth had the opportunity to have a hit with the world number one and glean some advice.
"She said she liked my tennis racquet.
Elizabeth said that she wanted to play tennis professionally.
"When I when I'm 15, I'm going to go on tour for the Australian Open, and I'm going to play the other cups too."
Elizabeth said she asked her idol one question.
"I asked her: 'When I win the Australian Open will she present me the trophy?'
"She said 'Yes.'"
