AS ASH Barty said, "yeah, it's disappointing. But it's been a hell of a summer".
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So things did not go to plan A - or Barty's plan B or C - for many Australians was a shock Australian Open semi-final loss on Thursday.
Barty arrived at Melbourne Park as the first Australian world number one since Lleyton Hewitt and 42 years since Chris O'Neil was home winner of the women's singles title - undoubtedly as Australians we had tunnel vision to the Open outcome.
It has been, without question, impressive how Barty has responded with incredible maturity for her 23 years.
To win the tournament or not, Ash Barty is Australia's top female athlete right now.
As the Barty party grew louder in The Courier office this week, we pondered the question who else would you hold in such high esteem. We challenge you to do the same.
Rounding out the top three seemed clear cut.
LIZ CAMBAGE (basketball), a three-time Women's National Basketball Association all-star in the United States and the league's record holder for most points scored in a game (53 points for Dallas Wings on July 17, 2018). The Australian Opal, now with WNBA club Las Vegas Aces, is known for not holding back comment off the court but last year penned a powerful piece on her mental health struggles. Cambage called for injury lists to feature DNP (did not play) - mental health.
SAM KERR (soccer), all-time leading scorer in the Australian and United States national leagues. Kerr is also the only Australian soccer, male or female, player to score a hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup. It was a little sad to see no Kerr in the W-League this season but small price for Australians, knowing the Matildas captain is on show for Chelsea in the Women's Super League. Kerr's trademark back-flips for scoring are an added bonus.
So who else might we add?
Continuing to make big waves are seven-time World Surf League champion STEPH GILMORE, back-to-back WSL champion TYLER WRIGHT, and SALLY FITZGIBBONS who wore WSL's yellow leaders jersey last season.
In Ballarat's own backyard, AMANDA SPRATT (cycling), conquered Mount Buninyong to earn the green-and-gold stripes as women's road race champion. Perhaps not as high profile as others in this list, Spratt is an Olympian (2012, 2016) and world championship silver medallist. She will be marked with the green-and-gold on Saturday for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race which, in an Australian first, will open the UCI Women's World Tour calendar.
For an Olympic year, we could also look to canoeist JESS FOX, who won a slalom bronze medal four in Rio and will be an athlete to watch this year. Or, Olympic marathon runner and two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jess Trengrove, who is training to qualify for Tokyo after giving birth late last year.
Cross-sport athletes TAYLA HARRIS (AFLW, boxing), ELLYSE PERRY (soccer, cricket), ERIN PHILLIPS (AFLW, WNBA) have each made significant impacts on major stages in different sporting worlds.
These women are all setting the bar high.
Who else makes the cut?
Let us know via The Courier on Facebook or @Melanie_Whelan on Twitter, or email melanie.whelan@thecourier.com.au
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