What a treat’: Ash Barty’s priceless takeover of Australian Open legends’ match.

Ash Barty went from being surprised at a glowing Rod Laver Arena to doing the surprising as the Australian Open broke new ground with its inaugural opening ceremony on Saturday night.

In January 2022, as Barty stood in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena crowd after winning her home grand slam, her great friend and mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley emerged to present the local champion the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

At the iconic Melbourne venue on Saturday night, just hours out from day one of the Australian Open main draw, Barty made a surprise entry into Rod Laver Arena midway through a legends’ match.

Until that point in the match, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi had gone toe-to-toe with Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter in doubles.

Then, in a brilliantly scripted moment, Agassi called for some assistance.

“Hold up,” said Agassi, who like the others was mic’d up.

There’s only one chance we can win out here today; if we can find another Aussie in this joint to come out here.

“Is there, by chance, another Aussie Open winner here, like an Ash Barty by chance?”

And right on cue, to the applause of a delighted crowd, Barty emerged on court.

The three-time grand slam champion subbed in for Agassi, joining Federer in the doubles match against Hewitt and Rafter.

“Well, we weren’t expecting this, I’ve got to say,” said Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge on the Nine coverage. “What a treat.”

“How good is this?” Barty said. “I’ve got the best partner ever.”

“You’re very lucky,” Hewitt grinned.

”I hope you’re warm,” Barty said to Federer, “because I’m not.”

“Are you ice-cold?” quipped the Swiss maestro.

The match was equal at one set apiece when Barty subbed in for Agassi.

Not that anyone was really keeping track of the scores.

Federer and Barty then pinched the third and deciding set to clinch the match, the former blasting a forehand smash down the T to ice victory.