Barty takes aim at title drought
ASHLEIGH Barty is optimistic she can convert a “perfect preparation” into a watershed Australian Open result as the world No.1 bids to end the nation’s 42-year singles title drought in Melbourne.
The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup has eluded Australian players since Chris O’Neil defeated American Betsy Nagelsen in 1978 at Kooyong.
Since then, only Wendy Turnbull in 1980 has advanced to the decider. The Queenslander lost the championship match to Czech Hana Mandlikova, who later switched to Australian colours.
Triumphant at the Adelaide International, the French Open champion is excited at the prospect of returning to Rod Laver Arena to face Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko.
“Obviously it’s the perfect preparation,” Barty said of her first singles title on Australian
soil. “But regardless of whether I won the title or not last week, I feel like I’m well prepared.
“I’m happy, I’m healthy. I’m coming into the first grand slam of the year with a smile on my face. That’s all I can ask of myself.
“Really special to be able to have won a title last week, my first on Australian soil. Third time lucky is a charm as well.”
Barty posted her best Melbourne Park result last season, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Petra Kvitova.
Since then her performances and profile have exploded with titles in Miami, Paris, Birmingham and Shenzhen.
Assured of retaining the world No.1 ranking regardless of Open results, Barty is the first Australian female top seed here since her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley won the 1977 title.
Barty is now the hunted, but she remains undaunted.
THERE ARE STILL AREAS OF MY GAME THAT I’M TRYING TO REFINE, TRYING TO IMPROVE, TRYING TO DEVELOP EVERY SINGLE TIME I WALK OUT ON TO THE COURT. WE’RE EXCITED TO COME IN HERE FEELING PRETTY GOOD — ASHLEIGH BARTY
“There’s no extra pressure. I don’t read the papers,” she said. “I don’t kind of look into any more than I need to. I’m here with my team trying to do the best that we can.
“It’s amazing to have so much support and so much love from the Australian public. I’ve really felt that in an exceptional way over the last 12 months. It’s been incredible.
“Just pretty excited to get started tomorrow night.”
Barty and Tsurenko share a 1-1 head-tohead record. The Queenslander believes her game is on an upward trajectory after a first-round defeat in Brisbane.
“I felt like it got better and better with each match,” she said.
“There are still areas of my game that I’m trying to refine, trying to improve, trying to develop every single time I walk out on to the court. I felt like [I’ve] ironed out a few creases. Now we’re excited to come in here feeling pretty good.”