Billie Jean King & Rod Laver congratulate Ash Barty on Australian Open win

The following are some of the reactions to top-ranked Australian Ash Barty winning the Australian Open women's singles title on Saturday.

Barty

"This is a dream come true for me, and I am so proud to be an Aussie.

"As an Aussie, the most important part of this tournament is to be able to share it with so many people and you guys in the crowd have been nothing short of exceptional.

"I have said numerous times, I am so lucky to have so many people here that love me, support me. Pretty special that my mum, dad and sisters are here... I am an incredibly fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner."

Runner-up Danielle Collins

"I think I owe big congratulations to Ash for a phenomenal two weeks here and really a phenomenal couple of years. It's been tremendous to watch her climb the rankings all the way to number one.

"I really admire you as a player and the variety of your game and, hopefully, I can implement some of that into mine."

Bllie Jean King (Former women's No. 1)

"World No. 1 Ash Barty has just become the 1st Australian to win an AusOpen singles title since Chris O’Neil's win in 1978.

"What a special day for Australia! Congratulations, @ashbarty!

Rod Laver, Australia tennis great

"A Grand Slam champion on three different surfaces, you are the complete player @AshBarty and I am so happy for you tonight."

Victoria Azarenka, Two-time Grand slam winner

"There is just no better tennis player at the moment than @ashbarty.

"Most complete and focused! The way she is able to put pieces together and add a bit more to her game is absolutely admirable! What an example!"

Mats Wilander, Seven-time Grand Slam winner

"It is incredible. It was a great match, it's fitting for Ash that the toughest match was in the final. I thought Danielle Collins played much better than any of her previous opponents.

"It went so quickly in the beginning that it didn’t feel that Ash Barty was ready for the speed of the match. What an amazing evening for her.

"I think Ash Barty has done such a great job just staying within her bubble, being slightly selfish, she has to be selfish. The pressure of Danielle Collins in the second set would have added to it."

Tim Henman, former men's world No. 4

"With the build-up, Ash has been in Australia for a long period of time, she played the first week of the year, the expectation has grown and grown.

"With an event like this, two weeks and seven matches, it’s impossible not to be aware of that. She has seemed so cool, calm and collected from the outside.

"But when you actually saw her win and you saw the emotion going to the box you knew that it was just a big release. I think everyone is just so happy that Ash Barty was able to win today."