Barty unfazed by the numbers
ASH Barty’s career has never been about numbers.
Since an extraordinary career rebirth in 2016, the Queenslander has ruthlessly focused on process — to the exclusion of everything else.
With the Fed Cup final in Perth this week beckoning as the final chapter in a wondrous season, Barty has already fashioned the most remarkable comeback in Australian tennis history.
Outside of Monica Seles’s return to grand slam glory after being stabbed on-court in 1993, Barty’s achievements after a two-year sabbatical are among the most inspiring in the sport’s history.
Included in her incredible feats are staggering metrics:
THE first Australian woman to secure the season-ending world No.1 ranking since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976.
OWNER of the most victories in 2019 on the women’s tour, with 56. RESPONSIBLE for the best 2019 record for top-10 wins (12).
JOINT ownership of the most titles on tour with four titles (on outdoor hardcourt, clay, grass and indoor hardcourt).
AN UNSURPASSED $16 million in prizemoney this season alone, more than another player (man or woman).
Buried in the avalanche of statistics is the fact Barty resumed just three years ago, ranked No.9999 in the world.
Her first cheque after returning to tennis from cricket was for just over $3000 at a third-tier event on grass at Eastbourne in June 2016.
This year alone, Barty has climbed from No.15, making the fastest ascent from entering the top-10 on April 4 to No.1 on June 24.
That rocketing 12-week rise easily eclipsed the previous swiftest on both tours — Naomi Osaka took 20 weeks, Marat Safin 23 weeks.
“It’s been a season of ups and downs, probably more ups than downs,” Barty said after landing the WTA Championships in Shenzhen.
Her trademark understatement, humility and modesty are etched in everything she has done this year.
It is par for the course for the French Open champion to deflect all of the personal glory to her team — led by Craig Tyzzer, Nicki Craig and Ben Crowe — using the word “we” much more than “I”.