Across Australia, there's a sweeping sense of jubilation, pride and joy after tennis champion Ash Barty carved a slice of history.
The Queenslander last night ended a 44-year drought — becoming the first Australian to win an Australian Open singles title since 1978.
This morning, a humble Barty said the enormity of her incredible win was still sinking in for her and her support team.
"I'm looking forward to a little bit of rest and just being able to let it soak all in because it's been an incredible fortnight for all of us," she said.
"I'm just kind of going with the flow for a little bit at the moment."
Ipswich cheers for hometown hero
Big celebrations are continuing for the 25-year-old in her hometown of Ipswich, west of Brisbane.
Fans, families and children, holding "Go Ash!" signs, gathered to watch the world number one take out the historic tennis title, while many Ipswich venues hosted "Barty Party" events.
Staff at the Brothers League Club wore tennis-themed outfits and even served a delicious-sounding "Barty Burger".
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the region is running out of ways to honour the world number one.
It's already named a tennis court after her and given her the keys to the city.
"Again, we'll work with Ash's team to make sure that it's respectful and it's something that's really great."
Ms Harding said Barty's success is inspiring the community.
"When you speak to people, there's such pride in her," Ms Harding said.
"The fact that she's homegrown and she's also a great role model for us in Ipswich as well because she's so down-to-earth and hardworking."
"It says to people that if you work hard and you focus, you can achieve your dreams," she said.
In Brisbane, a striking mural Barty fist-pumping and letting out a roar was on show at a tennis centre in Ferny Hills.
Tennis royalty praise Barty on social media
Australian tennis legend Rod Laver shared an incredible backstage post-match photo of Barty holding her trophy alongside fellow tennis legends — Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Judy Dalton and Chris O'Neill, the last Australian woman before Barty to win the Australian Open singles title in 1978.
Laver was in the stands to see Barty's emotional triumph.
"A grand slam champion on three different surfaces, you are the complete player @AshBarty and I am so happy for you tonight," Laver posted on Twitter.
"It is a wonderful moment to be here for this moment and to celebrate with Australia."
Newly crowned Australian of the Year and tennis legend, Dylan Alcott, joked on Twitter, "Too late to share Australian of the Year!?!?"
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azenka said Barty was "absolutely admirable."
"There is just no better tennis player at the moment than @ashbarty," she tweeted.
Barty's victory also drew gushing praise from several other Australian sporting stars.
Matildas captain, Sam Kerr tweeted, "Simply the best! Congratulations @ashbarty."
Australian women's cricketer Alyssa Healy, simply tweeted "iconic."
Outpouring of emotion from Indigenous community
Barty's win is a significant one for First Nations people.
A proud Ngarigo woman, she's the second First Nations woman to win the Australian Open.
The 25-year-old said she was humbled by the outpouring of support and joy from across the country, including pride and celebration from Aboriginal communities.
A picture for the ages was shared online – newly-crowned Australian Open Champion Ash Barty, alongside Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Cathy Freeman.
It followed the heart-warming moment during last night's trophy presentation when Barty was surprised by the appearance of her idol, mentor and close friend Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
The broadcast cut to Olympic legend Cathy Freeman who was recording the historic moment on her phone.
The tennis champion said sharing the victory with legendary Aboriginal athletes Goolagong Cawley and Cathy Freeman had been a special experience and was the most "beautiful moment" of the evening.
"I'm certainly not at their level, Cathy and Evonne are exceptional people, exceptional athletes, and they have paved the path for so many of us," Barty said.
"I'm still in the category of trying to follow in their footsteps and do the best that I can but to be a really small part of an amazing legacy that they've created is really cool.
"For our heritage, they're two absolute superstars."
The special achievement sparked an outpouring of emotion on social media from Australia's Indigenous community.
The ABC's Indigenous affairs editor and Dja Dja Wurrang and Yorta Yorta woman, Bridget Brennan posted on Twitter: "She got it. For her people! Black excellence."
And a cheeky tongue in cheek comment from Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa ABC reporter Jedda Costa: "Alright, who's starting a petition to call it the Aboriginal Open"?
Inspiring the next generation
Young tennis players celebrated their idol's victory at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane this morning.
Alexis Berndt, 10, said Barty was her inspiration. "I love how she's so mentally strong," she said. "She can always get back."
Emily Reed, 11, said Barty gives her hope that she can achieve her dreams.
"It gives me much more confidence that I can be like her," she said. "She's really kind and caring and shows great sportsmanship."
Harry Ruddell, 11, agreed: "If Ash can do it, certainly anyone else can."
Tennis Queensland general manager Elia Hill said Barty was an ambassador for the sport. She said tennis has exploded in popularity off the back of her success.
"Last year … we had an additional 1.5 million people playing our sport across the ages."
"[It was] the fastest growing sport across our age groups … and I'm sure Ash has got a lot to do with that and even more so, moving forward," she said.
Tennis courts across the country are set to throw open their gates and offer 10,000 hours of free court hire over the next month to fuel the current surge in participation and capitalise on the excitement of Barty's win.
"There's simply no better way to celebrate the success of our Aussie players than by giving free access to tennis to as many people as we can, right across the country," Tennis Australia chief tennis officer Tom Larner said.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated Barty on her stunning victory.
"She is definitely a Queensland legend and she is such a great role model."
"Hopefully we'll have a big Barty Party when she comes home."
"She's going to get the keys to Ipswich, keys to Brisbane, she's going to get the keys to Queensland."
