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The Conversation
The Conversation
Politics
David Rowe, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Research, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University

What the Ash Barty and 'Special K' tennis triumphs say about Australia and the buttoned-up sport industry

Ashleigh Barty Australia Nick Kyrgios Australian Open Novak Djokovic
Mark Baker/AP

The lead-up to the 2022 Australian Open was dominated by the unvaccinated top-ranked male tennis player Novak Djokovic’s ignominious deportation from Australia.

Djokovic’s absence prompted claims this would be an inferior Grand Slam. Enter the contrasting Australian tennis characters of Ash Barty and her supporting cast of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis to fill the vacuum.

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