It’s a tennis story. It’s a family story. It’s a teamwork story. It’s the story of how I got to where and who I am today.

I'm only in my mid-twenties, and some might think that's young to write a memoir. But it's important to reflect on every part of the journey, especially the end. The timing is perfect to share my story, from the first time I picked up a racquet as a five-year-old girl in Ipswich to the night I packed up my tennis bag at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open. Now I can look back at the 20 years in between and think carefully through the work and the play, the smiles and the tears, and all the people who helped along the way, be it my first ever coach, Jim Joyce, or my longtime one, Craig Tyzzer.

My Dream Time follows me on my path to being the best I could be, not just as an athlete but as a person. How do you conquer nerves and anxiety? How do you deal with defeat, or pain? What drives you to succeed – and what happens when you do? The answers tell me so much, about bitter disappointments and also dreams realised – from injuries and obscurity and self-doubt to winning Wimbledon and ranking number 1 in the world.

My story is about the power and joy of doing that thing you love and seeing where it can take you. It’s about the importance of purpose – and perspective – in our lives.

In My Dream Time, Ash Barty shares her personal journey of success in sports and the importance of recreation in her life. This autobiography is a biography that also serves as a self-help guide, providing insights into the psychology of a top athlete and the significance of personal growth.

For fans of Christopher Clarey (The Master), Alexandra Heminsley (Some Body to Love), Johnette Howard (All In), Raynor Winn (Landlines), and Malala Yousafzai (We Are Displaced).

HarperCollins 2022