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After a tennis break with golf and beer: all-rounder Ashleigh Barty attacks again

She won a golf tournament, enjoyed spending time with her family - now world number one Ashleigh Barty is returning to the tennis stage after a break of almost a year. At the Australian Open, she should end a 43-year drought.

by SID
last edit: Jan 29, 2021, 08:35 am

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Ashleigh Barty

Ashleigh Barty may not have measured herself against her rivals on the tennis court for almost a year - but since the number one in the world is an all-rounder, her trophy cabinet even grew during her break. The Australian simply swapped tennis racket for golf clubs and won the amateur championship at Brookwater Golf Club near Brisbane in the fall.

But although even golf star Tiger Woods praised the 24-year-old for her "good shot", her focus is now fully on tennis again. At a show tournament on Friday in Adelaide, she will ring in the hot phase before the Australian Open alongside Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. "I know I'll be a little rusty," said Barty, but emphasized, "I feel ready and can't wait to get started."

Barty knows a lot about time-outs. As early as 2015, she took a break from tennis, preferring instead to join the Brisbane Heat in the professional cricket league for one season - and convinced without having ever seriously trained the sport before. Simply an all-rounder.

Barty: "Developed personally"

Compared to the first time out, Barty reported "completely different circumstances", but noted that "I have personally developed a lot this year too". She really enjoyed the unusually long time at home with the family and recharged her batteries because "tennis is not the only thing in the world that makes me happy".

Since the WTA tournament in Qatar in February, she had stayed away from the tour, due to the corona pandemic, she renounced the US Open and defended her title in Roland Garros. And while the competitors in Paris fought for their successor, Barty appeared in the play-offs of the Australian Football League with beer in hand and passionately cheered on her beloved Richmond Tigers.

A photo of it made the rounds in the social networks, the Australians celebrated their down-to-earth "Ash". And at the Australian Open (from February 8th) the admiration could even increase immeasurably - if Barty ends a long dry spell. Because the proud tennis nation has been waiting for an Australian single winner in their home Grand Slam for 43 years.

Barty with optimal training

Unlike all of her international competitors, Barty, who also remained first in the world rankings despite the time-out due to the corona-related change in the ranking, has a big advantage. While players from abroad were only allowed on the tennis court for two hours a day in their two-week quarantine - some like Angelique Kerber even not at all - Barty was able to train almost optimally.

"I have the feeling," she said, "that my preparation was as good as possible with the cards that were dealt to me." Barty doesn't put any pressure on himself, however, as she assured: "I'm looking forward to going out there and having fun." Just like on the golf course.

by SID

Friday
Jan 29, 2021, 09:47 am
last edit: Jan 29, 2021, 08:35 am