Barty makes history as new world No. 1

Without dropping a set, Ashleigh Barty backed up her French Open win with a title in Birmingham. To overtake Naomi Osaka for the No. 1 ranking, Barty had to beat Julia Goerges in the final. She pulled it out 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday to become the first Australian No. 1 since Evonne Goolagong.

Goolagong spent two weeks at the top in 1976.

"Oh it's just been the most amazing journey for myself and my team and we've got to this point by doing all the small things right and I think we will continue to try and do that," Barty said. "But it's certainly just been the most amazing month of tennis for us and really an amazing three years."

In 2014, Barty quit the game for nearly two years, citing depression and burnout, and tried her hand at cricket instead. She returned to the tour 2016, and has won six singles titles (three this year) and eight doubles titles (including the 2018 US Open). She finished 2016 ranked No. 325, and her rise to No. 1 has been stunning, to say the very least.

"We had a very vague plan to try and get back in obviously to the rhythm of it and to playing again," Barty said about her comeback. "But certainly not for it to happen this quickly. It is always a goal to try and be the best. It's ultimately why we train, why we compete and play, but for it to happen in this way has been amazing."

Barty celebrated her first Grand Slam title in Paris with steak, beers, pasta and no speeches.

The 23-year-old the second Australian woman ever to reach the top of the rankings. Barty withdrew from Eastbourne this week, understandably needing some rest.