The Newcombe Medal was shared for the first time by two Australian tennis stars last year - Ashleigh Barty and Alex de Minaur - but there’s one near certainty in 2019: there will be only one distinct winner.

As the first Australian woman to finish as a year-end world No.1 - combined with a breakthrough major triumph at the French Open and three other WTA titles to her credit - Barty is a lay down misere to win the medal for a third consecutive year at Tennis Australia’s annual awards night on Monday.

The rise and rise of Barty to the current position of one of Australia’s best athletes has been something to behold. The 23-year-old secured her world No.1 spot in June after her heroics in Paris and, aside from a three-week period in August, Barty has barely since looked like being knocked off her perch.

Ashleigh Barty after winning the 2018 Newcombe Medal alongside Alex de Minaur. Credit:AAP

No surprise then that the Queenslander was also recognised as the latest winner of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Don award in October.