The cavalcade of bronze busts at Melbourne Park includes members of the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, with modern-day tennis stars - such as Pat Cash, Pat Rafter and wheelchair athlete David Hall - recognised alongside a swag of greats of yesteryear including Laver, Court, Ken Rosewall and Frank Sedgman.

“I don’t think I quite belong,” said Barty.

“I look at those and they are legends of our game. I am still very much just learning it. I am not sure I belong with that. But, yeah, we’ll see.”

Retired players must wait a certain period of time before they can enter the Hall of Fame. Two-time major winner Lleyton Hewitt, for example, is not yet exhibited in garden square.

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Tennis Australia has indicated it will work closely alongside the Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australian Open champion.

“Ash’s legacy at this point will be what she’s achieved, and I think that’s a conversation with her,” tournament boss Craig Tiley said.

“I know she has already rejected a statue in Queensland. We’ll spend some time her. We would love to honour her in any way she would like to be honoured and we’ll do whatever we can to make that happen.

“I think there’s going to be many ideas that float around, but I think this is a conversation ... Ash is very humble in her approach and very gracious in her approach to these things.