ASHLEIGH BARTY SAID that she “certainly” did not think the French Open would be her first Grand Slam title, but with the Roland Garros crown sealed, she will head into the next few majors as one of the favourites and targeting her “next goal” of becoming the world number one.
The Australian, the first player from her country to win in Paris since Margaret Court in 1973, took a break from tennis in 2014 to play professional cricket.
But the 23-year-old has rapidly risen up the rankings since returning without a world ranking, and will be the world number two on Monday.
Her dominant 6-1, 6-3 final victory on Saturday over Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova will certainly have her earmarked as a player who can consistently compete on the biggest stage.
“Certainly not here, that’s for sure. It’s just been an amazing journey that we’ve had over the last few years,” Barty said.
I just tried to tell myself on the court that I may never get this opportunity again, so enjoy it, try and grab it with both hands and go out there and smile.
“It’s new territory for me going deep into Slams, that was the goal. One of our goals is to continue to do that.”
Now the number-one ranking is well within her reach, with Naomi Osaka only holding a narrow lead at the summit, and Barty has the Japanese star in her sights.
“Obviously, that’s the next point, the next goal, the next situation I can see myself in,” she said.
“Being number two in the world is incredible and something I never dreamt of as a child and we’ll keep chipping away and try our best to get to number one.”
‘Body was shot’ after comeback event
Barty played for the Brisbane Heat cricket team in the Women’s Big Bash League four years ago, playing nine matches with a top score of 39.
“No, not at all,” she said of her hopes of winning a Grand Slam when she started her comeback with a surprising run to the semi-finals at Eastbourne in 2016.
“I was very nervous (at Eastbourne) because I didn’t even know if I would get in the draw,” she said.
“I only got in the draw because it wasn’t full in quallies. It was pretty nice to almost flip into tournament mode straight away…
I remember at the end of that week, my body was shot. It wasn’t used to playing matches again. It was incredible.
“To know that it was three years ago — it feels like only yesterday that we were there and in the same breath it also feels like it was a lifetime ago.”
Barty lost in three Grand Slam doubles finals alongside Casey Dellacqua in 2013, but had only won two singles matches and lost nine at the big four tournaments when she stepped away five years ago.
She did not play another Grand Slam singles main-draw tie until 2017, and only reached the second week of a major for the first time at least year’s US Open.
Barty does not think she could have seen such an upturn in her fortunes without taking a hiatus.
“Absolutely not. I don’t even know if I’d be sitting here talking to you if I was playing tennis (and) if I didn’t step away,” Barty said.
It’s obviously a part of my life that I needed to deal with, and I feel like it was the best decision that I made at the time, and it was an even better one coming back.”
She has not totally turned her back on cricket, though, and said she “would have loved” to have been able to attend Australia’s World Cup match against India at The Oval in London on Sunday.
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Criminal how Irish rugby treats John cooney..
@Padjo Mulk: I dunno what makes John Cooney continually join up with the Irish squad, knowing he will never get a decent craic of the whip like the others, maddening stuff!!
Looks like Bill Johnston not playing again & no sign of a contract renewal. Looks like he will be away at the end of the season, which is shame. Looking forward to Cormac getting a debut, looked good in the A game. Need 5 points to keep pressure on Leinster
@Patrick Corrigan: Scottish ref, touch judges and TMO. Can’t see any chance of 5 points!
@Trevor Johnston: same clown who took the England Italy game
@Sam Murray: He was the first Scottish ref to ref a 6 nations game in 19 years. Scottish refs have been poor for 2 decades and it effects the Pro 14. People complain about not having neutral refs, but when an Irish Province plays a Welsh region, it means the ref has to come from Scotland or Italy (people also complain and touch judges and 4th official as well) if the 4 provinces are playing the 4 welsh regions how are you goimg to get 16 scottish and Italian officials that are up to standard? Getting 4 would be good going.
@Patrick Corrigan: only contracts not done yet is Matt Faddes, Alby Mathewson, Louis Ludik
Bill Johnston, Ross Kane, Adam McBurney and Kyle McCall.
Some will retire others moved on.
Henderson reported to be on a 2 year central contract. Would have liked Mathewson for another year. McBurney would do a good job at another province, is better than 3rd choice any others have.
@Kingshu: can’t see faddes getting a contract even though he’s been better this season, just too much up and coming talent in the back line. I heard klye is retiring at the end of this season. With Shannon kept on, doak coming through, Cooney not getting called for up for ireland don’t see alby being kept on (would be nice if he was). Can’t see any of them getting contracts at this stage
@Patrick Corrigan: Alby would be an asset to any club imo but at 35 his age is against him.
@TL55: at 35 for one more year it wouldn’t be an issue for me. At present Cooney is 1st choice, the IRFU allowed Ulster a 4th NIQ but can only have 3 in a matchday, meaning Mathewson has only played 2/3 games for Ulster. Next year Doak will be getting games and will quickly leapfrog Shanahan. If Faddes goes, Mathewson may be used more, and it at start of year I can see Mathewson being on bench for big games, but by end of the year it would hopefully be Doak. As it stands it will be Shannahan on bench, but I see Doak becoming 2nd choice more quickly.
@Kingshu: it’s not only 3 NIQ in match day squads it is 3 non EU citizens, Saffas count as EU due to Kolpak agreement.
@Michael Bryson: Where do Ulster stand regarding EU regulations? Six counties in the UK and three in the EU. The NI protocol further muddying the waters. I wouldn’t want to calculate the legal costs if that ever went to court.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: the NI protocol means that NI is following most EU regulations so in effect its in the EU. I think in this case re player eligibility British citizens would also be classed as EU.
@Michael Bryson: the protocol is for the single market, so would that cover Labour laws cover that? The UK copied most eu laws, so currently it would be the same, but the UK could change their their law and then my head explodes!
@Kingshu:
I would definitely keep Alby for another year he is a fantastic back up player for Cooney and brings great tempo and decision making.
I also would not have given Shanners another years contract although I think that is more a sweetheart golden handshake deal and he will leave at the end of the one year extension.
The reason being that there are two scrumhalfs in the academy and both look really good, especially Doak but Finlay was also the Irish u20’s first choice.
Kyle McCall and Ross Kane have never shown that they can command a place as even third choice and they need to move on to free up spaces and finance.
Calum Reid has a chance to prove he can surpass McCall in the loosehead
I’m delighted to see Izuchukwu on the bench. He’s a great prospect and perfectly suited to the modern lock forward role. Hopefully he’ll get plenty of minutes this season.
@Sustainable Hedgehog:
Yes it will be good to get a look at him.
He certainly has the step and pace and it remains to be judged what he is like in the power stakes.
We wish him well