WTA Finals: Interview Ashleigh Barty:”I’ve always loved doubles.”

The Australian Ashleigh Barty has made a brilliant comeback after her time-out and is currently ranked 20th in the singles and 13th in the doubles. We talked to her.

Ashleigh Barty (21) was considered to be one of the greatest talents in Australian tennis and was a successful doubles pro: in 2013, she reached the finals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. By 2014, however, she had just finished: After the US Open, Barty surprised with the news that she had lost her fun and passion for an indefinite period of time out.”I was surprised to hear that she had lost her passion for tennis. Barty switched to cricket, where she played for Brisbane Heat. She returned to tennis in 2016 and is currently ranked 20th in the singles as high as never before.

tennisnet: Mrs. Barty, congratulations on your qualification and your strong comeback in the singles! What is the big difference to your “first” career that you interrupted three years ago?

Barty: In the meantime, I feel much more mature. I feel very comfortable on the tour and am happy to be free, to be myself when I go on the pitch. This year I played very successfully, very consistently – this was very important to me.

tennisnet: During your break, you played cricket – how did you get there?

Barty: Cricket is an incredibly popular sport in Australia. When you grow up here, you watch cricket and even play in the garden. I only played a little bit in the past, but I was a huge fan! When the opportunity arose to try another sport, I thought: Why not?

tennisnet: Was it always clear that you would come back to tennis at some point?

Barty: No, not at all. It was open to both sides for me. My thought was: When I play again – wonderful. If not, it doesn’t matter. It was best to approach this way of thinking. So I didn’t put any pressure on myself, but could make the decision I wanted. In the end, it was a natural development to return to tennis.

tennisnet: Your compatriots Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic often talk about not being happy on the tennis court. Could a break do the two of them any good?

Barty: It’s hard for me to say. Tennis is a very individual sport, people make their own decisions. The break was perfect for me, but I can’t comment on it with the two of them.

tennisnet: In Australia you are in the company of the biggest players in the sport – from Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall to Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.

Barty: We are lucky enough to be such a big sports nation in Australia. And to host a Grand Slam tournament. This gives tennis a lot of attention. The fact that we have so many legends in our country is also a great fortune. We players are in contact with many people and always get support and advice when we need it.

tennisnet: How important is doubles still for you? Many players stop playing when you become more successful in the singles – and you are now in the Top 20.

Barty: I’ve always loved doubles! For me, singles and doubles are equally important. This year it was very successful in both disciplines. Of course it was a very hard and long year, but I am happy and healthy – that’s the most important thing. I will continue to play singles and doubles on every occasion.

Florian Goosmann had the interview in Singapore.