Former world number 1 tennis star Ash Barty has become just the third athlete to be awarded one of Australian sport's foremost achievements, the Don Award, for a second time.

Named for inaugural hall of fame inductee and cricket icon Don Bradman, the annual award is considered amongst the highest honours in Australian sport; recognising the athlete or team who served as the biggest inspiration that year.

On Thursday Barty joined hurdler Sally Peason and pole-vaulter Steve Hooker, both Olympic gold medallists, as two-time winners.

The nod comes after an unconventional 12 months.

The three-time Grand Slam-singles winner announced her retirement from tennis in March, shortly after claiming her first Australian Open and while sitting on top of the world rankings.

She had previously claimed the French Open in 2019 and Wimbeldon title in 2021.

The 26-year-old maintains her spot as one of the country's most popular figures.

Speaking on Channel Seven's awards coverage the ever-humble Barty played down her latest achievement.

"This is such a special night to celebrate sport all around Australia and iconic athletes and I feel very privileged and humbled to be a very small part of that again," she said.

Arguably her defining moment, Barty said her Australian Open win in January felt like the perfect summation of her still young professional career.

It had been 44 years since an Australian had lifted the trophy on home soil.

Despite the dreams of an entire nation joining her on centre-court, Barty said there was little chance of being weighed-down by the occasion.

"In my eyes, there was no pressure," she said.

"(I wanted) to go out there and play like the five-year-old Ash that picked up a racket for the first time and was inspired by other athletes.

"It was certainly my most enjoyable Australian Open, result aside, it had absolutely nothing to do with it because it felt free.

"I played without consequence and I played like a little kid."

Barty revealed she made a conscious effort to enjoy the moment and play without fear.

The result saw her walk away from the sport on top.

She also became the second First Nations Australian Open champion after four-time winner Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who Bartly embraced shortly after her triumph.

In 2022 Barty was Australia's most googled name, wading through rumours of her flirting with a career in other codes, if-not a return to tennis over the year.

Her second Don Award further entrenches her name into the sporting landscape and record.