It’s tough at top, Osaka warns Barty

FORMER world No.1 Naomi Osaka has offered a word of caution to her successor, Ash Barty.

Osaka became the world’s best female player after winning the 2019 Australian Open, and held the title for 25 weeks. She briefly traded positions with Barty before the Australian took over the No. 1 slot in September 2019 and hasn’t relinquished it since.

Japan’s first Grand Slam winner said the pressure of No. 1 had got the better of her.

“For my own experience, I feel like there is (extra pressure),” she said. “Also my mindset is very different from other people because I felt when I was No.1, I had to do more. I felt like I had this responsibility to sort of try to carry it the way (Roger) Federer and the big three did, like how Serena (Williams) was for such a long time.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself that way. I feel like whatever ranking you are, if you’re seeded, it’s like you have to win. But you have to overcome that feeling.”

The reigning US Open champion said that at times it had felt like “it was me against the world”.

“Honestly, I kind of had this whole, like, I need to do better,” Osaka said. “I need to sort of solidify my place and be consistent and somehow make other players respect me in that way.

“I had it for that entire year, that whole 2019. I think that also put a lot of pressure on me because I just felt in a way it was me against the world.”

Barty has consistently played down the pressure aspect of the No. 1 ranking and the potential added burden of holding it at her home Grand Slam.

After winning the Yarra Valley Classic on Sunday, she again addressed the hype issue.

“There’s no extra pressure for me,” Barty said. “Regardless of what tournament it is, what match it is, what court, the routine and the preparation is all the same.

“That’s how I know that I bring out my best stuff.”

Barty, 24, takes to Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night for a first-round match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.

Her two main rivals, Osaka and Serena Williams, barely raised a sweat winning their respective opening-round matches on Monday in straight sets.