Ash Barty opponent in Aus Open final dated son of AFL legend

It seems like every match Ash Barty plays at the Australian Open there's an Aussie trying to bring about her demise.

Amanda Anisimova was coached by Australian Darren Cahill, while Madison Keys had Aussie master tactician Craig O'Shannessy in her corner.

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Barty swept past Anisimova in the fourth round and took down Keys in the semi-finals on Thursday, winning both in straight sets.

And the Aussie connection continued in Saturday night's final with Danielle Collins' former boyfriend and trainer Tom Couch.

Couch is the son of former AFL Brownlow Medallist Paul Couch, and played three games in the AFL with the Melbourne Demons in 2012.

After retiring from professional footy, Couch moved into fitness training and has worked with Australian stars Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson.

Couch and Collins met in 2019 when Couch was working with a group of Australian players at the Acapulco Open in Mexico.

They hit it off and stayed in touch for a number of months before beginning a relationship - both personal and professional - after the US Open that year.

“The thing that has probably made it work so well is that Danielle is so dedicated, disciplined and motivated,” Couch told The Australian.

“That makes things so much easier on the relationship and has probably been the key to it all.”

Danielle Collins and Tom Couch no longer together

Collins famously blew up at Couch at the French Open last year, demanding he change where he was sitting in the stands.

“Everyone thought we’d broken up after the match and I was like, ‘We’re all good, we’re going on vacation next week’,” she said.

“What happened was I was on court and one of my team was moaning and groaning and cussing about my serve.

“It had gone on for a while so I asked Tom to move as I knew he would move to a spot where I didn’t have to listen to this other person complain.”

Unfortunately Collins and Couch's personal relationship didn't last, with Collins now dating model Joe Vollen.

The American thanked her partner for his support in her post-match speech after losing the final to Barty.

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