‘Did you win tennis, Aunt Ash?’

When Ash Barty’s four-year-old niece Lucy wakes up, the first thing she usually asks is ‘did Aunt Ash win tennis?’

Well, on Friday morning, Ash’s sister Sara may have told the little one, “Not bad … she’s just made it to the finals at Wimbledon!”

Fresh from a brilliant semi-final win at Angelique Kerber at the All England Club, Barty revealed Thursday that the best of his day while on the other side of the world is the moment when he can write a text and chat with a loved one at home.

Still, it’s typical of a grounded superstar that Barty wants to know as much about their days as they want to hear he hit the world on the tennis court.

Barty’s progress to his first Wimbledon final is the most significant milestone on a tennis tour that has been largely profitable but has had its downs.

“There have been days when it’s been challenging,” Barty admitted. “Every day I really miss my family and I miss being able to share this with them.

“But I know they watch, I get to talk to them every day, and I have to be away for a long time, give me a chance to do what I love. It’s about looking at it from that perspective.

“But I know that when ‘Luce’ wakes up every morning, she asks my sister how Aunt Ash went, ‘was she a winner?’ “

“I get my sister and family when I come out of court, they’re really excited to tell my niece and nephew how I played overnight – and it fills me with joy.

“It makes me smile, the fact that I get to talk to them and tell them about my day, which is no different than anyone else.

“Every day I ask how their day was, and they ask me how my day was – and I think being able to keep this really normal is one of the best parts of my day.”

Staying so grounded as his global reputation continues is one of Barty’s many outstanding traits.

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When asked how he was doing, he shrugged his shoulders on Thursday: “It’s more of an attitude for me than anything else.

“It’s about understanding that you don’t get to play tennis forever, you don’t get those opportunities every single day and it really is important to have that kind of childish, carefree playfulness.

“And while I’m very professional and serious and drifted and excited about my career, it’s also important to retreat sometimes and just enjoy it and try to smell the roses along the way and take it all in.

“It’s not just about the destination. All the nuances of the trip, the silly nuances, the memories that make the trip so special. It’s very important that we be able to appreciate them every day.”