Ash Barty surprises kids; named 2019 'Don Award' winner

The French Open champion Ashleigh Barty made her way to Cairns, Queensland following her Beijing final against Naomi Osaka. The world No. 1 was defeated by the Japanese in three-sets, but Barty bounced back immediately to surprise 25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tennis players.

Barty is apart of a group called "Indigenous youth" which a program that participates in tennis' programs throughout the year in the far North of Queensland.

The major champion joined Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who is a 14-time Grand Slam champion on Wednesday to bring the community together through tennis.

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"Getting to do things like this; an Indigenous tennis trip with Evonne Goolagong Cawley, how incredible is that? It’s been a special opportunity to bring so many people together and to talk through my tennis and my heritage" Barty stated to Tennis Australia.

The 23-year-old had an incredible 2019 season, and on Thursday it became even more incredible when she was named the 'Don Award' recipient.

She joins the likes of Cathy Freeman, Sally Pearson, Ian Thorpe and Pat Rafter in receiving the prestigious award.