WEBVTT - Bonus: Ash Barty interview in Central Australia 0:00:00.480 --> 0:00:03.680 Tennis is back in a free way, back in a 0:00:03.760 --> 0:00:05.720 freak way. It's wonderful, it's gross. 0:00:05.800 --> 0:00:08.800 This is exactly on tennis need. It's the greatest athelete 0:00:08.840 --> 0:00:13.520 of all time. Time has been everything. It was never 0:00:13.880 --> 0:00:15.680 going to be perfect, but this was perfect to. 0:00:15.720 --> 0:00:18.320 Me and I think it was a really challenging thing 0:00:18.360 --> 0:00:20.239 to talk about, but also in a sense it was 0:00:20.280 --> 0:00:22.919 really easy because I'm really happy with my decision. 0:00:23.320 --> 0:00:26.000 I leave the sport being completely fulfilled. 0:00:29.680 --> 0:00:33.000 Hi, I'm John Huvenas. Welcome to a special Ash Barty 0:00:33.080 --> 0:00:36.240 episode of the AO Show. The tennis world is still 0:00:36.280 --> 0:00:38.560 coming to grips with the twenty five year old sudden 0:00:38.600 --> 0:00:42.080 retirement from the professional arena just five weeks after her 0:00:42.159 --> 0:00:45.800 history making triumph in Melbourne. The world number one had 0:00:45.840 --> 0:00:48.640 been preparing to lead Australia in its Billy Jean King 0:00:48.720 --> 0:00:53.040 Cup qualifier against Slovakia later this month, before the cancelation 0:00:53.200 --> 0:00:56.280 of the tie in mid March. In late February, the 0:00:56.320 --> 0:00:59.560 three time major champion journeyed to the Australian Red Center 0:00:59.800 --> 0:01:03.280 to Ularu and Alice Springs, visiting members of the Mutta 0:01:03.360 --> 0:01:06.560 Julu community as part of her role as First Nation's 0:01:06.600 --> 0:01:10.640 Ambassador for Tennis Australia during her time there. She sat 0:01:10.680 --> 0:01:14.800 down with Australian Tennis Magazines viv Christi for an exclusive 0:01:14.920 --> 0:01:18.200 interview about her experience of the trip, knowing in the 0:01:18.200 --> 0:01:21.480 back of her mind that her professional tennis career would 0:01:21.480 --> 0:01:24.959 soon be coming to an end. Today, on the AO Show, 0:01:25.160 --> 0:01:28.600 we bring you the full interview with Ash Barty, three 0:01:28.640 --> 0:01:34.600 weeks before the retirement that shocked the tennis world. 0:01:37.080 --> 0:01:39.960 Ash, perhaps you could start by describing your experience of 0:01:40.000 --> 0:01:41.880 seeing Ularu for the first time. 0:01:42.319 --> 0:01:44.680 Really hard to put into words, I think, just because 0:01:44.720 --> 0:01:47.320 it was It's a feeling when you actually go to 0:01:47.440 --> 0:01:50.000 Uluru for the first time, like I did, and like 0:01:50.040 --> 0:01:51.760 I have over the last few days. It was just 0:01:51.800 --> 0:01:54.560 an incredible experience for me to understand how much of 0:01:54.560 --> 0:01:57.720 a connection and a spiritual connection Uluru is for so 0:01:57.760 --> 0:02:01.480 many communities around but also as as a child, as 0:02:01.520 --> 0:02:04.640 an Aboriginal girl growing up, it's the heartbeat of our nation. 0:02:04.760 --> 0:02:08.320 I think being able to experience that firsthand was something 0:02:08.360 --> 0:02:10.320 I always wanted to do, and to be able to 0:02:10.760 --> 0:02:13.160 allow myself through my profession and through my career to 0:02:13.360 --> 0:02:14.880 have that opportunity was really special. 0:02:15.639 --> 0:02:17.840 Why was it so important for you to make this 0:02:17.880 --> 0:02:19.440 trip to Central Australia. 0:02:19.600 --> 0:02:22.120 I think it's just an incredible experience for me personally 0:02:22.160 --> 0:02:24.760 to get more in touch with my heritage and more 0:02:24.760 --> 0:02:27.880 in touch with my culture, but also to visit the communities, 0:02:27.919 --> 0:02:30.280 to see the kids and see the way that the 0:02:30.320 --> 0:02:33.760 world is working and the world lives in remote communities. 0:02:33.800 --> 0:02:36.160 I think it's amazing to be in touch with that, 0:02:36.240 --> 0:02:40.160 and it's amazing to sometimes recognize how different it can be. 0:02:40.200 --> 0:02:42.120 And it's a beautiful, beautiful part of our. 0:02:42.080 --> 0:02:44.239 Nation and our world, and I think I was just 0:02:44.360 --> 0:02:45.679 very fortunate and lucky to be able to be a 0:02:45.720 --> 0:02:46.080 part of it. 0:02:46.400 --> 0:02:48.639 What were you thinking as you're moving closer to. 0:02:48.639 --> 0:02:51.600 Ularu, how big and powerful and enormous it is. I 0:02:51.639 --> 0:02:55.800 think that it's just an incredible part of our landscape 0:02:55.840 --> 0:02:57.880 that hasn't changed over thousands of years. And I think 0:02:57.880 --> 0:03:00.200 that's one of the most beautiful things about it. 0:02:59.880 --> 0:03:01.160 It is untouched. 0:03:02.000 --> 0:03:06.600 It's just as perfect as it ever was and ever 0:03:06.800 --> 0:03:08.920 has been and should be, and that's how we should 0:03:08.919 --> 0:03:09.520 protect our land. 0:03:09.560 --> 0:03:11.600 And I think being able to experience. 0:03:11.200 --> 0:03:13.799 That the closer that you get is really special, and 0:03:14.160 --> 0:03:17.440 certain parts of the rock faces and how it changes 0:03:17.520 --> 0:03:19.560 throughout the light and how it changes. 0:03:19.560 --> 0:03:21.480 Depending on where you walk and which way you look 0:03:21.960 --> 0:03:23.600 is a really, really beautiful way to see it. 0:03:24.160 --> 0:03:27.919 One of your experiences today was eating bushtucker. Can you 0:03:28.000 --> 0:03:29.280 describe eating bushtucker? 0:03:29.280 --> 0:03:29.600 For us? 0:03:29.960 --> 0:03:32.880 Bushtucker is brilliant, and I think it's just amazing to 0:03:32.880 --> 0:03:35.520 know that there is still so much that we. 0:03:35.480 --> 0:03:37.680 Can use from the land. The land is still giving us. 0:03:37.680 --> 0:03:40.360 The land is still giving us a way to live 0:03:40.400 --> 0:03:43.080 and to work and to love and respect it. And 0:03:43.080 --> 0:03:45.200 I think that's probably the most important thing that I 0:03:45.240 --> 0:03:47.640 got out of yesterday, was being around all the room, 0:03:47.720 --> 0:03:50.160 being around the communities, is how much they still rely 0:03:50.240 --> 0:03:52.000 on the land. And I think that's a really beautiful 0:03:52.000 --> 0:03:54.560 part of our culture, and I think it's a really 0:03:55.040 --> 0:03:57.280 important part of being a human being, is understanding that 0:03:57.320 --> 0:04:00.480 we need to respect the environment and just nderstand how 0:04:00.520 --> 0:04:01.680 much it still gives to us. 0:04:02.160 --> 0:04:04.839 When we visited the watering hole, you clearly loved being 0:04:04.880 --> 0:04:08.720 surrounded by so much nature. How special was that experience? 0:04:09.240 --> 0:04:12.360 Yeah, I felt like that was that was Australia in 0:04:12.360 --> 0:04:15.520 its purest form. You could you could hear the zebra 0:04:15.520 --> 0:04:17.400 finches in the background, you could see the water. 0:04:17.480 --> 0:04:19.200 You look up and you get the beautiful blue sky 0:04:19.320 --> 0:04:21.320 that's that's contrasting against all ruin. 0:04:21.360 --> 0:04:25.279 It's just an amazing area to sit and appreciate and 0:04:25.320 --> 0:04:28.400 I think appreciations of word that that I use a 0:04:28.440 --> 0:04:32.160 lot in my life, and I think that moment was 0:04:32.240 --> 0:04:34.000 just that was that was it in its. 0:04:33.839 --> 0:04:35.520 Purest form, and I think it was just a beautiful, 0:04:35.520 --> 0:04:36.160 beautiful moment. 0:04:36.600 --> 0:04:40.200 You also had the opportunity to actually touch the rock face. 0:04:40.360 --> 0:04:43.920 Can you describe the energy that you got from that experience? 0:04:44.720 --> 0:04:46.359 Yeah, Never in my life did I think that I 0:04:46.360 --> 0:04:49.040 would have the opportunity to be able to touch and 0:04:49.080 --> 0:04:52.200 feel and connect with all rule. And I think also 0:04:52.279 --> 0:04:55.360 understanding how much the color has changed over time was 0:04:55.440 --> 0:04:57.360 a really interesting part. 0:04:57.600 --> 0:04:58.640 Part of the experience to. 0:04:58.600 --> 0:05:01.840 Me is knowing knowing the original color and seeing the 0:05:01.920 --> 0:05:04.680 original color and feeling it and understanding how it has 0:05:04.760 --> 0:05:08.520 changed and adapted and rusted over time. And I think 0:05:08.640 --> 0:05:11.640 it's just a beautiful part of our landscape, and I 0:05:11.640 --> 0:05:14.279 think being able to connect with it in a hands 0:05:14.320 --> 0:05:17.800 on kind of feel and scenario was really magical. It 0:05:17.920 --> 0:05:20.680 was amazing and I think you look around and you 0:05:20.720 --> 0:05:22.560 see the impact that it has on everyone. 0:05:22.240 --> 0:05:22.719 That was there. 0:05:23.640 --> 0:05:25.960 That's the spiritual connection to the land, and I think 0:05:25.960 --> 0:05:28.840 that's the spiritual connection to our culture and our heritage, 0:05:28.839 --> 0:05:31.159 and it was really amazing to feel that firsthand. 0:05:32.040 --> 0:05:34.839 Throughout the day. You were careful to always be respectful 0:05:34.960 --> 0:05:37.279 in checking, for example, that it was okay to touch 0:05:37.320 --> 0:05:38.479 the rock face before you did. 0:05:38.520 --> 0:05:38.680 So. 0:05:39.120 --> 0:05:41.440 Can you talk about the importance of that respect. 0:05:41.760 --> 0:05:44.799 Yeah, I think for me that's just become quite natural 0:05:45.320 --> 0:05:48.240 for me as a Person's the value that my parents 0:05:48.279 --> 0:05:51.400 instilled in my sisters and I when we're quite young. 0:05:51.440 --> 0:05:53.920 As the respect is also massive. And We've been invited 0:05:53.920 --> 0:05:55.400 to come into this community, and I think it was 0:05:55.400 --> 0:05:55.919 important that. 0:05:56.400 --> 0:05:59.000 We respected their rules and kind of. 0:05:58.960 --> 0:06:01.159 The way that they live, and I just wanted to 0:06:01.160 --> 0:06:04.279 make sure that I wasn't overstepping any marks culturally. I 0:06:04.320 --> 0:06:07.080 know that there are some sensitive areas and some sensitive 0:06:07.320 --> 0:06:09.720 sides of Ularo and ways you only get to view 0:06:09.760 --> 0:06:11.120 it if you are there, So I just wanted to 0:06:11.120 --> 0:06:13.240 make sure that we were doing all the right things 0:06:13.240 --> 0:06:15.520 for all of us, but for me in particular, I'm 0:06:15.520 --> 0:06:19.360 always wanting to be able to help the communities. 0:06:18.839 --> 0:06:20.040 Feel comfortable with us. 0:06:20.040 --> 0:06:22.320 They allowed us to come in into their space and 0:06:23.160 --> 0:06:27.760 into their community and feel that, and I just wanted 0:06:27.800 --> 0:06:29.520 to make sure that we were doing the right things 0:06:29.560 --> 0:06:32.280 because that's part of the experience as well as that 0:06:32.360 --> 0:06:33.920 allows us then to get the best out of the 0:06:33.960 --> 0:06:35.880 communities and the best out of the people, and that 0:06:35.920 --> 0:06:37.239 builds a relationship instantly. 0:06:38.160 --> 0:06:40.680 It was really lovely to see you soaking up so 0:06:40.800 --> 0:06:43.479 much knowledge throughout the day. How much did you enjoy 0:06:43.560 --> 0:06:44.320 simply learning? 0:06:45.120 --> 0:06:46.520 It was so fulfilling. 0:06:46.560 --> 0:06:48.919 And I think the Mean and Nikki who helped us 0:06:48.920 --> 0:06:50.920 around and we're talking us through a lot of the 0:06:50.960 --> 0:06:54.400 history and the culture and the special parts of Ularo, 0:06:54.520 --> 0:06:57.800 were just incredible. They made the day so special and 0:06:57.880 --> 0:07:00.239 it was just a really fulfilling day in being able 0:07:00.320 --> 0:07:04.440 to accept the gratitude and accept just the beautiful. 0:07:04.320 --> 0:07:05.560 Pure scenery that we're in. 0:07:05.839 --> 0:07:07.480 We're in the heartbeat of the country, the heartbeat of 0:07:07.480 --> 0:07:10.080 our nation, and for me to be there, I feel 0:07:10.120 --> 0:07:13.720 extremely fortunate and lucky to get to experience that firsthand. 0:07:14.040 --> 0:07:16.280 There was an incredible moment of quiet when you were 0:07:16.360 --> 0:07:20.000 lying down and looking up at the rock surface. Can 0:07:20.040 --> 0:07:21.480 you describe that for us? 0:07:22.240 --> 0:07:25.120 The steepest point of the rock and it was beautiful, 0:07:25.400 --> 0:07:28.960 and I think it forced the quiet because people wanted 0:07:29.000 --> 0:07:32.320 to absorb the energy and absorb the feeling and really 0:07:32.520 --> 0:07:34.800 just take it all in. And I think it's funny 0:07:34.800 --> 0:07:38.600 that it wasn't planned. I think we all just the 0:07:38.680 --> 0:07:41.720 quiet just happened because I think everyone wanted to listen, 0:07:42.280 --> 0:07:44.480 to absorb it, to take it all in and just 0:07:44.480 --> 0:07:46.119 take it for what it was. And that's a moment 0:07:46.120 --> 0:07:50.400 that I certainly will never ever forget. And seeing the 0:07:50.440 --> 0:07:54.280 most steep face of the rock was just incredible, and 0:07:54.280 --> 0:07:56.400 seeing it from that view lying down was even better. 0:07:56.840 --> 0:07:58.920 Was there a type of mindfulness to that moment? 0:07:59.400 --> 0:07:59.960 Absolutely? 0:08:00.200 --> 0:08:02.880 It was quiet, it was calm, and it was beautiful, 0:08:02.880 --> 0:08:04.880 and I think whenever you can bring yourself in a 0:08:04.920 --> 0:08:08.720 really present moment, I wasn't thinking about anything else except 0:08:08.760 --> 0:08:12.320 appreciating what was around us, and for a minute I 0:08:12.360 --> 0:08:14.640 closed my eyes and it was just exceptional. It was 0:08:14.760 --> 0:08:18.480 just an amazing moment for me to sit and settle 0:08:18.720 --> 0:08:21.200 and take it in. And it was a really really 0:08:21.560 --> 0:08:25.600 beautiful moment of mindfulness without even trying to get there, 0:08:25.760 --> 0:08:28.080 it naturally happened. I think that's the way that the 0:08:28.240 --> 0:08:30.960 environment works for us, and that's a really spiritual connection 0:08:31.000 --> 0:08:34.120 that ULARU gives to so many people. That go there 0:08:34.200 --> 0:08:36.120 is that it gives you this piece, it gives you 0:08:36.160 --> 0:08:38.280 this quiet, and it gives you a moment to really 0:08:38.280 --> 0:08:39.040 sit and appreciate. 0:08:39.920 --> 0:08:42.040 And then you were able to spend some time in 0:08:42.080 --> 0:08:44.520 the local community. How much did you enjoy meeting the 0:08:44.559 --> 0:08:47.920 local people and hitting with the kids through the Rackets 0:08:47.920 --> 0:08:49.080 and Red Dust program. 0:08:49.360 --> 0:08:51.800 The Rackets and Red Dust program is just an incredible 0:08:52.160 --> 0:08:54.880 program in giving that opportunity to meet new people, to 0:08:54.920 --> 0:08:57.160 try new things. And Beth and Anzac have done an 0:08:57.160 --> 0:09:01.800 incredible job in allowing communities to let us in and 0:09:01.880 --> 0:09:03.760 to trust us. And I think one of the most 0:09:03.800 --> 0:09:07.199 special parts is we've I mean, essentially, we've got a 0:09:07.200 --> 0:09:09.120 group of strangers that have come into a community to 0:09:09.440 --> 0:09:10.200 try something new. 0:09:10.679 --> 0:09:13.000 And the kids were so excited. 0:09:13.559 --> 0:09:17.319 It's very unusual for young Aboriginal girls or boys to 0:09:17.600 --> 0:09:20.280 come up and be so affectionate with strangers or hug strangers, 0:09:20.320 --> 0:09:22.000 and the kids were hugging me, and it just made 0:09:22.040 --> 0:09:24.680 me feel so warm and welcome, and it was just 0:09:24.760 --> 0:09:27.880 a really really fun few hours of spending time with 0:09:27.920 --> 0:09:31.320 the kids. Incredible athletes, Incredible that they were able to 0:09:32.640 --> 0:09:35.320 play tennis. I mean they started playing tennis. A couple 0:09:35.320 --> 0:09:37.079 of days ago, and we could already have some rallies, 0:09:37.120 --> 0:09:39.320 which is just mind blowing. And I think for them 0:09:39.400 --> 0:09:43.400 to really absorb that new skill, a new skill set, 0:09:43.480 --> 0:09:46.040 and do it with some strangers that they've welcomed into 0:09:46.080 --> 0:09:47.880 their home was really. 0:09:47.640 --> 0:09:49.960 Warming in a sense that they felt natural. We had fun. 0:09:50.240 --> 0:09:51.880 I don't think there wasn't There wasn't. 0:09:51.720 --> 0:09:54.560 One kid, there wasn't one parent, there wasn't one elder 0:09:54.559 --> 0:09:56.560 that wasn't smiling and enjoying it. And I think that's 0:09:56.600 --> 0:09:58.920 what that's what lights me up the most is at 0:09:58.920 --> 0:10:01.600 that moment, I know that all of us were We're 0:10:01.600 --> 0:10:03.000 never going to forget it, and I think that that 0:10:03.080 --> 0:10:03.680 was a lot of fun. 0:10:04.080 --> 0:10:06.839 There was one little girl, Elrica, who was following you 0:10:06.840 --> 0:10:10.040 around so closely, she was almost shadowing you. Were you 0:10:10.120 --> 0:10:11.800 aware of how much she was connecting with you? 0:10:12.040 --> 0:10:15.560 Elrica? She was incredible. She was amazing. And she even 0:10:15.640 --> 0:10:18.199 came up to my dad. He's been nice enough to 0:10:18.280 --> 0:10:19.960 join us the last couple of days. 0:10:19.720 --> 0:10:22.440 And she said to him, your dad, and he goes, yeah, 0:10:22.559 --> 0:10:25.280 she said, you're the boss, and he just loved that. 0:10:25.480 --> 0:10:28.679 And that's the respect that's instilled in the communities from 0:10:28.720 --> 0:10:29.480 such a young age. 0:10:29.480 --> 0:10:31.720 And for us as strangers to come in. 0:10:31.760 --> 0:10:34.200 They made it so warm and welcoming and so much 0:10:34.240 --> 0:10:37.760 fun and it was just so brilliant to see so many. 0:10:37.480 --> 0:10:38.040 Of the kids. 0:10:38.080 --> 0:10:41.360 But Erika in particular, she was having so much fun. 0:10:41.400 --> 0:10:43.079 She couldn't get enough of it. She wanted to pick 0:10:43.120 --> 0:10:44.920 up the ball, she was throwing them, kicking them, hitting 0:10:44.920 --> 0:10:47.320 them with the rackets like she was just exceptional. And 0:10:47.400 --> 0:10:49.040 to see that at such a young age in such 0:10:49.040 --> 0:10:52.880 a small community is really heartwarming knowing that there are 0:10:52.920 --> 0:10:54.800 so many other kids out there that just need the 0:10:54.840 --> 0:10:58.280 opportunity to just need the experience to try it, to 0:10:58.320 --> 0:10:59.360 see to see how they go. 0:10:59.600 --> 0:11:01.680 What do you think we'll be next in tennis? For 0:11:01.760 --> 0:11:04.640 the boys and girls that you met here in the community. 0:11:04.800 --> 0:11:07.600 It's a tough one because it's the opportunity is not 0:11:07.720 --> 0:11:10.400 always there. But I mean, we hope that we can 0:11:10.440 --> 0:11:12.960 just continue to grow the sport and hope to give 0:11:12.960 --> 0:11:15.760 them that opportunity more regularly. And it's not just in tennis, 0:11:15.640 --> 0:11:19.520 it's in all sports, in education. It's about bringing more 0:11:19.600 --> 0:11:23.640 opportunity not just to the youth as well, it's to 0:11:23.640 --> 0:11:26.400 everyone in the communities. And I think around Australia, We're 0:11:26.400 --> 0:11:29.319 a very big nation and we have a massive connection 0:11:29.880 --> 0:11:31.959 still to our tribes and to our communities, and it's 0:11:31.960 --> 0:11:34.600 about helping them and working hand in hand and giving 0:11:34.640 --> 0:11:37.560 the opportunities to try and become better human beings, to 0:11:37.600 --> 0:11:41.720 become more educated, to become more coordinated, to have more fun, 0:11:41.800 --> 0:11:45.360 and also feel like you can connect with them at 0:11:45.400 --> 0:11:48.080 a level that is a human being natural level. And 0:11:48.120 --> 0:11:51.040 I think that's a really important part of what I 0:11:51.080 --> 0:11:53.280 do and what I love. But coming out into the 0:11:53.320 --> 0:11:54.480 communities is really fulfilling. 0:11:55.080 --> 0:11:58.800 How can tennis be a vehicle for improved health and education. 0:11:59.160 --> 0:12:00.600 A massive mass vehicle. 0:12:01.040 --> 0:12:04.720 I think it brings people together first and foremost, it 0:12:04.760 --> 0:12:08.200 allows people to feel safe in an environment. And of 0:12:08.240 --> 0:12:11.520 course there's the health and well being attributes that come 0:12:11.559 --> 0:12:14.800 with being fit, being outside, being outdoors, and I think 0:12:14.840 --> 0:12:17.559 the education also comes with the opportunity is that it's 0:12:17.600 --> 0:12:20.000 learning a new skill, it's learning it's talking to new people, 0:12:20.040 --> 0:12:22.640 it's learning different ways of life, talking to people that 0:12:22.679 --> 0:12:24.760 come from all walks of life. And I think being 0:12:24.800 --> 0:12:29.040 able to connect with everyone is a really important skill. 0:12:29.280 --> 0:12:31.520 And I think that that is something that's massive when 0:12:31.520 --> 0:12:33.400 we do come up and get these opportunities to come 0:12:33.440 --> 0:12:36.120 to the communities. Is that they're talking to people that 0:12:36.120 --> 0:12:39.240 they've never seen before. They've never seen TV cameras, they've 0:12:39.280 --> 0:12:42.320 never seen a net, they've never seen rackets, they've never 0:12:42.360 --> 0:12:44.640 seen the different types of balls, and a lot of 0:12:44.640 --> 0:12:46.800 the time they don't get to talk about that. And 0:12:46.840 --> 0:12:51.760 I think being able to just experience thirty forty fifty 0:12:51.760 --> 0:12:53.880 different people that do different things in their life, that 0:12:53.920 --> 0:12:59.440 have had different experiences, that communication creates a way of curiosity, 0:12:59.559 --> 0:13:01.280 and I think that's a really important word, as well 0:13:01.320 --> 0:13:04.480 as being able to be curious about education, about sport, 0:13:04.480 --> 0:13:08.320 about all these different opportunities and allow these young kids 0:13:08.400 --> 0:13:10.400 to dream and think that could be me one day? 0:13:11.280 --> 0:13:13.600 The what if? Why not me? And I think that's 0:13:13.640 --> 0:13:15.240 a really important part of what we do. 0:13:16.000 --> 0:13:18.240 How important is it for these young people to have 0:13:18.360 --> 0:13:18.920 role models? 0:13:19.280 --> 0:13:20.120 Yeah, it is. 0:13:20.160 --> 0:13:23.280 I think it's really important just to feel like someone 0:13:23.320 --> 0:13:26.120 else has been able to help create the opportunity. 0:13:26.360 --> 0:13:29.560 And for Yvonne, what she has done for me and. 0:13:29.800 --> 0:13:33.200 A lot of other Indigenous youth is that she was 0:13:33.240 --> 0:13:36.560 the one who said why not me and paved this 0:13:36.600 --> 0:13:39.880 beautiful path into being. It's not only a champion of 0:13:39.880 --> 0:13:42.920 our sport, but a champion across the globe and icon. 0:13:43.360 --> 0:13:46.240 And she just has the most incredible foundation now that 0:13:46.320 --> 0:13:50.000 has set up this foundation and set the pathway for 0:13:50.080 --> 0:13:52.760 so many Indigenous youth to try things, to try different things, 0:13:52.760 --> 0:13:55.400 whether it's education, it's sport, it's art. There are so 0:13:55.400 --> 0:13:57.800 many different ways and avenues that you can go down 0:13:57.800 --> 0:14:01.520 now to try your curiousity, to see what lights you 0:14:01.600 --> 0:14:05.160 up inside. And I think me coming here, I get 0:14:05.200 --> 0:14:06.960 so much out of it, and I just hope that 0:14:06.960 --> 0:14:10.400 the kids enjoy it because I know how much of 0:14:10.440 --> 0:14:12.839 an impact it made when I was able to look 0:14:12.880 --> 0:14:15.600 up to someone like a Vonn and then be able 0:14:15.640 --> 0:14:18.040 to chat to her in more of a relaxed sense. 0:14:18.040 --> 0:14:21.160 And she's the most approachable, incredible human being. And if 0:14:21.200 --> 0:14:23.920 I can be half of what she is, I hope 0:14:23.960 --> 0:14:26.560 the kids feel comfortable around me to ask me those questions, 0:14:26.600 --> 0:14:28.880 to see what if, what could. 0:14:28.680 --> 0:14:32.280 Happen your own role model. Even Guligong Coley had some 0:14:33.080 --> 0:14:36.920 amazing experiences in Central Australia and a special connection to Ularu. 0:14:37.360 --> 0:14:40.640 Does that enhance what's already a really special relationship with 0:14:40.680 --> 0:14:41.640 Evon It does? 0:14:41.680 --> 0:14:46.440 I mean our relationship both personal and professional is it's 0:14:46.520 --> 0:14:49.440 just amazing how in touch with are with each other, 0:14:49.480 --> 0:14:52.120 and how intertwined we are, and how many things we 0:14:52.160 --> 0:14:56.680 share in common, how many incredible anniversaries or special moments 0:14:56.680 --> 0:14:57.440 we have together. 0:14:57.480 --> 0:15:01.000 And without a doubt that I'm a a very very. 0:15:00.960 --> 0:15:03.080 Strong believer, and that's come from our culture, and that 0:15:03.120 --> 0:15:05.600 has come from our connection to each other and with 0:15:05.640 --> 0:15:07.880 the land. And I think that a world has a 0:15:07.920 --> 0:15:10.960 really incredible way and the universe has this incredible way 0:15:11.000 --> 0:15:14.120 of bringing people together and working for you, not against you, 0:15:14.160 --> 0:15:16.280 and I think being able to accept that is a 0:15:16.640 --> 0:15:19.080 big part of allowing the universe to help you out. 0:15:19.600 --> 0:15:23.080 You were presented with some beautiful artwork by the local children. 0:15:23.480 --> 0:15:24.720 That must have been another highlight. 0:15:25.560 --> 0:15:30.840 Absolutely incredible, and I think each piece of Indigenous. 0:15:30.240 --> 0:15:32.000 And Aboriginal artwork has a story. 0:15:32.880 --> 0:15:35.320 And Lydia was able to come up and tell me 0:15:35.360 --> 0:15:39.960 her story and tell me about her artwork. And what's 0:15:40.000 --> 0:15:43.160 most special is that she has taken the time to 0:15:43.240 --> 0:15:45.960 create this story to gift to me a stranger who's 0:15:46.000 --> 0:15:48.360 come into her community, and she's gifted me a story 0:15:48.400 --> 0:15:50.800 of her and of us. And it's where people are 0:15:50.800 --> 0:15:54.560 coming together and connecting, and it's just incredible that she, 0:15:55.440 --> 0:16:02.120 as a young girl, already has that artistic connection to everyone, 0:16:02.200 --> 0:16:03.960 and I think that's her way of expressing it. And 0:16:04.040 --> 0:16:06.240 it's just beautiful that she was able to give me 0:16:06.280 --> 0:16:09.160 that beautiful piece that'll be up at home, stretched in 0:16:09.200 --> 0:16:11.400 the canvas at a pride and place. And I have 0:16:11.440 --> 0:16:14.280 a few Aboriginal pieces at home and all of them 0:16:14.280 --> 0:16:17.040 tell a story and whenever people come over, I love 0:16:17.080 --> 0:16:19.600 to tell that story. And I think now that Liddy 0:16:19.640 --> 0:16:22.000 and I share that together, I can't wait to tell 0:16:22.000 --> 0:16:22.880 people that story too. 0:16:23.400 --> 0:16:27.000 You've spoken a lot recently about feeling connected to the land. 0:16:27.120 --> 0:16:28.960 Do you feel more connected to the land after these 0:16:29.000 --> 0:16:30.560 couple of days in Central Australia. 0:16:30.600 --> 0:16:32.120 Absolutely, more and more every day. 0:16:32.160 --> 0:16:34.200 And it's all about the grounding and being able to 0:16:34.240 --> 0:16:36.040 absorb what it can give you. 0:16:36.560 --> 0:16:38.240 And that's for everyone that's just not. 0:16:38.840 --> 0:16:43.080 Aboriginal Torrestrade Island or Indigenous people that come back to 0:16:43.120 --> 0:16:46.080 their roots. Everyone on our nation has a sense of 0:16:46.120 --> 0:16:47.960 grounding and has a sense of connection to our land 0:16:48.000 --> 0:16:50.160 because this is our home, this is where we live. 0:16:50.200 --> 0:16:52.000 We need to protect it, we need to savor it 0:16:52.680 --> 0:16:55.120 and allow it to work for us, and we need 0:16:55.160 --> 0:16:56.720 to give back as much as we can as well. 0:16:56.760 --> 0:16:59.560 But certainly I know that this beautiful country of Australia 0:16:59.600 --> 0:17:02.920 helps me every single day. I love being an Aussie 0:17:02.920 --> 0:17:05.920 and I think days like yesterday just remind me of that. 0:17:06.600 --> 0:17:07.199 Absolutely. 0:17:08.119 --> 0:17:10.240 Was there something as special about the timing of this 0:17:10.280 --> 0:17:12.480 trip having come here as an Australian Open champion. 0:17:13.000 --> 0:17:16.000 Timing is everything. I'm a very, very big believer in that. 0:17:16.119 --> 0:17:18.960 And this trip has been delayed a couple of times now, 0:17:19.680 --> 0:17:22.440 and as much as I was disappointed previously that it 0:17:22.560 --> 0:17:26.240 had been delayed for different reasons, there is a reason 0:17:26.280 --> 0:17:28.800 now that where we are here at the time that 0:17:28.840 --> 0:17:31.439 we are, with what has happened through January, and to 0:17:31.480 --> 0:17:34.400 be able to connect with the kids now, and there 0:17:34.440 --> 0:17:34.960 is a reason. 0:17:35.000 --> 0:17:36.119 And I'm a big believer in that. 0:17:36.280 --> 0:17:38.200 I'm a big believer in silver linings, and I think 0:17:38.240 --> 0:17:41.480 that the experience and the feelings that everyone's going to 0:17:41.520 --> 0:17:43.480 come out of these last couple of days up here 0:17:43.520 --> 0:17:46.080 in such a beautiful place in the world, it's going 0:17:46.119 --> 0:17:46.720 to be magical. 0:17:47.160 --> 0:17:51.360 As you've won Grand Slams on every surface, clay, grass, 0:17:51.400 --> 0:17:54.200 hard court, is I have to ask, is red dust 0:17:54.280 --> 0:17:55.359 a new favorite surface? 0:17:55.640 --> 0:17:57.719 Could you imagine? I was the best court in the world. 0:17:58.320 --> 0:17:59.159 I would love it. 0:17:59.440 --> 0:18:02.000 I would be signing up every day of the week 0:18:02.000 --> 0:18:04.240 to play a Red Dust tournament. I would love for 0:18:04.880 --> 0:18:07.240 a lot of the international players to come and experience 0:18:07.880 --> 0:18:11.639 what we have in the last few days. The bounces 0:18:11.640 --> 0:18:15.119 aren't always kind, and it's I mean, you'd be changing 0:18:15.119 --> 0:18:17.560