Barty, Nadal Donate 2022 Aussie Open Gear to Hall of Fame
March 29, 2022
March 29, 2022, NEWPORT, RI — Following historic title runs in Melbourne, 2022 Australian Open champions Ashleigh Barty and Rafael Nadal have donated pieces from their milestone victories to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The two kits, worn during Australian Open competition, have arrived in Newport, Rhode Island where they are on display in the museum and now part of the ITHF’s permanent collection.
Barty, who became the first Australian woman to win her home major since Chris O’Neil in 1978, gifted a FILA kit and pair of shoes prior to announcing her retirement from professional tennis earlier this month. Nadal broke the men’s Grand Slam record by capturing his 21st career major title in Melbourne, achieving the double career Slam in the process. His autographed Nike kit, headband and wristband now sit alongside Barty’s items in the ITHF Museum’s Grand Slam gallery.
By defeating Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, Nadal completed one of the greatest single-match comebacks in the sport’s history to capture his second career Australian Open crown. The Spaniard broke the tie of 20 major titles he had previously held with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to become the all-time Grand Slam recordholder. Nadal joined the ranks of Djokovic and Hall of Famers Roy Emerson and Rod Laver to become the fourth man in history to win all four Slams twice.
With a straight-set win over Danielle Collins in the final, Barty cemented her place atop the WTA rankings and in the record books with her third singles major title. She became just the eighth woman to win a title on three different surfaces, alongside the 2019 French Open title and 2021 Wimbledon title. The Australian Open would prove to be her last tournament, as the world No. 1 announced her retirement earlier in March. With three singles Slams, a doubles Slam and 121 weeks atop the rankings on her resume, Barty automatically qualifies for inclusion on the ITHF enshrinement ballot in 2027.
Barty and Nadal’s items join the recent donations from 2021 US Open champions Medvedev and Emma Raducanu, who gifted a racquet and kit, respectively, to the ITHF following their victories in September.
Fans and visitors can plan their trip to view these artifacts in the ITHF Museum and learn more about the preservation process at www.tennisfame.com/museum-and-grounds/the-museum.