London: Ashleigh Barty has taken inspiration from her three-year-old niece but has been warned to prepare for a "barrage of bullying" should her Wimbledon unfold as many predict.
The Australian star has been in excellent touch through the opening two rounds, heading into Saturday's clash against British wildcard Harriet Dart, expected to be on centre court.
Ashleigh Barty is into the third round at Wimbledon.Credit:AP
This will be a significant challenge, for she will endure the rare experience of not having a partisan crowd cheer her on. However, should she successfully deal with that and survive the round of 16, a likely blockbuster awaits against seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams after defending champion Angelique Kerber was a shock exit, beaten by unseeded American Lauren Davis.
What has impressed close observers is the manner in which she has handled the intense spotlight following her French Open success. This, in part, has been due to spending time with leadership mentor Ben Crowe, who is also working with several players in the the Australian cricket team.
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It's understood part of this process is allowing Barty "to be herself" – and that she has done.
Whether it's been on court against Japan's Zheng Saisai or Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck, or in off-court interviews or commercial activities, Barty has a cool that former Australian star Todd Woodbridge says could carry her to a maiden Wimbledon title.
"Sometimes you can watch a player and know they are teetering on the edge, there is anxiety, there is a nervousness about the occasion. You can see the pressure in them," he said.
"There is none of that on her face. I am so impressed by how she has handled this past month. It looks like it is just any other week, it is not.
"This is huge, this is as big a pressure and microscope that you will be ever under. In her own mindset, she has found this happy place where she is enjoying the whole thing. That, in itself, could allow her to go on and do really well in this tournament.
"Unfortunately, the only thing at this point is that Serena stands in the way."
Now a leading commentator with Channel Nine and the BBC, Woodbridge said Barty – whom he has known since her junior days – had all the strokes and nous to flourish at Wimbledon but a potential roadblock awaits with Williams in her side of the draw that had been branded the "group of death".
If it is the American great, Woodbridge said the new world No. 1 needed to prepare as best she could to deal with a power surge.
"She is going to have to keep the sharpness. If she does come up against Serena, she is going to have to ready for this barrage of bulliness – hard, first-hit tennis. She is going to have to absorb that," he said.
"That is the way you can damage Ash – you are going to have to beat her off the court in the first couple of hits. If Ash gets the chance to manoeuvre the ball around, then the opponent is in trouble."
In the meantime, Barty can only focus on Dart, who has reached the third round of a grand slam for the first time and has the British media – and royalty – urging her on.
"I have nothing to lose. I actually met her a few weeks ago at an LTA schools visit. Lovely girl, great champion. She won the French Open, and she won Birmingham, right?" Dart said.
"Yeah, so, it's an exciting match for me. Just another great opportunity to get out there and do the best that I can."
With Kate Middleton in the stands, she beat American Christina McHale in the opening round, and then edged Brazilian Haddad Maia in three sets.
"There's an element of danger against everyone you play. You have to make sure you know exactly how you want toRead More – Source
London: Ashleigh Barty has taken inspiration from her three-year-old niece but has been warned to prepare for a "barrage of bullying" should her Wimbledon unfold as many predict.
The Australian star has been in excellent touch through the opening two rounds, heading into Saturday's clash against British wildcard Harriet Dart, expected to be on centre court.
Ashleigh Barty is into the third round at Wimbledon.Credit:AP
This will be a significant challenge, for she will endure the rare experience of not having a partisan crowd cheer her on. However, should she successfully deal with that and survive the round of 16, a likely blockbuster awaits against seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams after defending champion Angelique Kerber was a shock exit, beaten by unseeded American Lauren Davis.
What has impressed close observers is the manner in which she has handled the intense spotlight following her French Open success. This, in part, has been due to spending time with leadership mentor Ben Crowe, who is also working with several players in the the Australian cricket team.
Advertisement
It's understood part of this process is allowing Barty "to be herself" – and that she has done.
Whether it's been on court against Japan's Zheng Saisai or Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck, or in off-court interviews or commercial activities, Barty has a cool that former Australian star Todd Woodbridge says could carry her to a maiden Wimbledon title.
"Sometimes you can watch a player and know they are teetering on the edge, there is anxiety, there is a nervousness about the occasion. You can see the pressure in them," he said.
"There is none of that on her face. I am so impressed by how she has handled this past month. It looks like it is just any other week, it is not.
"This is huge, this is as big a pressure and microscope that you will be ever under. In her own mindset, she has found this happy place where she is enjoying the whole thing. That, in itself, could allow her to go on and do really well in this tournament.
"Unfortunately, the only thing at this point is that Serena stands in the way."
Now a leading commentator with Channel Nine and the BBC, Woodbridge said Barty – whom he has known since her junior days – had all the strokes and nous to flourish at Wimbledon but a potential roadblock awaits with Williams in her side of the draw that had been branded the "group of death".
If it is the American great, Woodbridge said the new world No. 1 needed to prepare as best she could to deal with a power surge.
"She is going to have to keep the sharpness. If she does come up against Serena, she is going to have to ready for this barrage of bulliness – hard, first-hit tennis. She is going to have to absorb that," he said.
"That is the way you can damage Ash – you are going to have to beat her off the court in the first couple of hits. If Ash gets the chance to manoeuvre the ball around, then the opponent is in trouble."
In the meantime, Barty can only focus on Dart, who has reached the third round of a grand slam for the first time and has the British media – and royalty – urging her on.
"I have nothing to lose. I actually met her a few weeks ago at an LTA schools visit. Lovely girl, great champion. She won the French Open, and she won Birmingham, right?" Dart said.
"Yeah, so, it's an exciting match for me. Just another great opportunity to get out there and do the best that I can."
With Kate Middleton in the stands, she beat American Christina McHale in the opening round, and then edged Brazilian Haddad Maia in three sets.
"There's an element of danger against everyone you play. You have to make sure you know exactly how you want toRead More – Source
