Barty welcomes Open test

THREE minutes – the time it takes to boil an egg – was all that stood between Ashleigh Barty and reaching her goal when she first stepped on to Rod Laver Arena as a 17-year-old on debut at the Australian Open four years ago.

A very different player, and person, returns to Melbourne Park next week with far greater expectations than the young lady who was drawn to play world No.1 Serena Williams on centre court.

Now ranked No.19 in the world and without the fear of meeting Williams due to the seven-time champion’s withdrawal, Barty knows the eyes of Australia will be on her, but is embracing their increased interest.

Her well-publicised sabbatical from professional tennis renewed her enthusiasm for the sport and propelled her to a career year in 2017 when she claimed her first WTA singles title and rose to as high as 17 in the world rankings.

Four years ago, Barty was ranked 155 in the world as she prepared to face the might of Williams in her maiden appearance at her home major.

“I just wanted to go out there and last an hour,” Barty revealed. “Honestly that was my goal, and to really have a crack.

“I didn’t last an hour. At least I didn’t get doublebageled.”

Williams took 57 minutes to record a 6-2, 6-1 demolition of Barty but looking back on it now, the 21-year-old Brisbane native considers the occasion an honour, however nervous she might have been in the hours leading up to their match. “In my eyes Serena is the greatest ever and I remember I was absolutely petrified,” said Barty.

There’ll be no such match-up this year after Williams delayed her return to tennis, but whoever stands in her way, Barty is adamant she won’t be intimidated.

Over the course of 2017 she claimed the scalps of former world No.1s in Venus Williams, Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova, and has now made the final at the Sydney International.

It’s the ideal preparation for the increase in intensity that she will experience in Melbourne .

“We’ve been able to have a really fantastic year this year to put ourselves in a position where I get to go out there and try and play my best for me and my team, my family, the Australian fans and public,” she said.

‘‘ IT’S PRETTY COOL TO BE ABLE TO SAY YOU’VE PLAYED SERENA ON SUCH A BIG STAGE. ASHLEIGH BARTY