Ash Barty says ‘dreams don’t always come true’ but has vowed to give her all to win this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
The world No.1 heads into the Grand Slam with questions looming over her current form and fitness on the Tour. Barty hasn’t played a competitive match since withdrawing from her second round match at the French Open due to a flare up of a left hip problem. As a consequence the Australian hasn’t played in any event leading into Wimbledon and last played a competitive match on the grass back in 2019.
“We’ve (my team) been able to go through the rehab, do what we’ve needed to do, give ourselves the best chance to play here at Wimbledon,” Barty commented on her recovery.
“Now I feel like I’m fit, I’m ready to play and I’m excited to play. To have an opportunity to again play the main draw here at Wimbledon is certainly something that excites me and really drove me to do everything as best as I possibly could with my team to make sure we’re fit and we’re here playing.”
“My preparation has been as good as it could be. I couldn’t ask anything more of myself to give myself an opportunity to play here at Wimbledon,” she added.
In the past Barty has experienced mixed fortunes at The All England Club where she has reached the fourth round only once in four attempts. Although she has previously won the junior title back in 2011 before reaching the women’s doubles final two years later with Casey Dellacqua.
Due to reigning champion Simona Halep withdrawing from the tournament, Barty will be the woman who will open up play on Center Court on the first Tuesday. A tradition which is usually given to the player who had won the previous year.
“I’m extremely excited and humbled to have the privilege and to have the honour,” she commented.
Perhaps even more special for the 24-year-old is that her presence at the tournament coincides with the 50th anniversary of Evonne Goolagong’s triumph. To mark the occasion she will be wearing an outfit inspired by the one her idol wore back in 1971.
“Evonne has guided the way. She’s created a path for all of us as Australians, but as a family and for our heritage to know that there is an opportunity to chase after your dreams and to do what you love,” said Barty, who has an Aboriginal heritage like Goolagong.
“She’s created a legacy like no other in Australia. I think I’m exceptionally proud to be able to call her a friend and a mentor, to be able to share heritage. For me to be able to pay tribute to that on a really special anniversary is something that I’ll never forget. I know not only myself but my team, my family, and Evonne and her family are really excited for the outfit, as well.”
The top seed will start her campaign against Carla Suarez Navarro who will be playing in the tournament for the last time in her career. Navarro returned to the Tour earlier this year after successfully overcoming cancer.
