It may be a tough act to follow but Ashleigh Barty is confident of backing up her 2019 heroics, starting at the Brisbane International.
Barty admitted she didn’t want 2019 to end as she savoured a breakout year in which she claimed the world No.1 ranking and became the first Australian woman to win the French Open in 46 years.
But she hinted that the best was to come in 2020 as she prepared for the Brisbane International which starts on January 6.
“It’s obviously been an incredible year for me. I have been hanging on the last few hours of (2019) just to soak it all up,” Barty said on Tuesday.
“(But) there are still a few things I would love to tick off. It’s now about setting goals for 2020.
“I will try to tick off as many as those as I can.”
The 23-year-old did her best to complete her “to do” list in 2019.
Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the world No.1 ranking since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976 in a remarkable year in which she also lifted the WTA Finals trophy and led Australia to their first Fed Cup final since 1993.
It has ensured all eyes will be on her when she takes centre court at a star-studded Brisbane International.
“It is my hometown, there is no other place I would rather play,” she said.
“It would be incredible (to win Brisbane International) but there is a long way to go.
“I am just looking forward to getting out there and seeing what level I can bring from the get go.”
The pressure at her home tournament will be enormous thanks to a stellar 2019.
But it will be nothing compared to what lies ahead at the opening grand slam, the Australian Open.
Not that she will be feeling it.
“There’s no pressure at all. Yes, my team and I have had incredible success but we worked damn hard to get those results,” she said.
“The only thing I am worrying about this week is playing in Brisbane, knowing if I do the right things it will put me in good stead for the next month (at Australian Open).”
Barty may not have wanted 2019 to end but had planned an early night on New Year’s Eve.
“I will be sitting on the couch with the dogs I think, watch a bit of telly, that’s about it,” she laughed.
Instead of a well earned celebratory ale, Barty spent the final afternoon of 2019 enjoying her other passion – helping animals in need.
RSPCA ambassador Barty on Tuesday visited their Brisbane Animal Hospital where many native wildlife injured in the recent Queensland bushfires are being treated after earlier making a personal donation.
