Olympic spot next on Barty’s agenda

FIRST the Australian Open, then Tokyo. World No. 1 Ash Barty is eyeing a maiden Olympic berth as she prepares to be the hunted top seed at her home grand slam next month. Barty, 23, admitted her celebrations following her third Newcombe Medal win had been rather subdued after beginning her pre-season training this week. As she plots her 2020 campaign, the Queenslander revealed that the Olympic Games in Japan in July is a key pillar of focus. “I think what’s going to be very special about next year is the Olympics,” she said yesterday. “I’m really excited to hopefully be a part of my first Olympics. I think it could make the year extra special, but there are so many parts of the year that I’m looking forward to. It’s about trying to bring out the best in myself and making sure that I do things my way, our way, with my team and everything we want to do, we want to try and do the best we can every single day. “Regardless of wins or losses, we know that if we do that, I’ll be proud myself, I’ll be proud of my team, they’ll be proud of me and that’s all that matters.” The star — a key representative of Australia in the Fed Cup — admitted it would be “really special” to start the year on home soil with the topranking in tow, and said she anticipated “a summer like no other” amid the pressure and hype. No Australian has claimed the home grand slam in more than 40 years. And while Barty — who claimed the French Open and the biggest payday in tennis at the year-ending WTA Finals — will be firmly in the sights of the Australian Open field, she is adamant that she will treat the prized event no differently despite sitting on top of the world. “There are 127 other girls in the draw that I have to try and beat as well,” she said. “No matter who you’re playing against on the other side of the net, you have to try to the best of your ability to beat that person. “Regardless of the number next to your name, everyone’s trying to do the same thing. It’s about me preparing in the right way over the next five or six weeks to give myself the best chance to be ready coming into the Australian Open.”