Ashleigh Barty feels it’s “all coming together” after striking the perfect work-life balance in pursuit of more grand slam spoils.
After a scratchy start to the American hardcourt swing, with a first-up loss in Toronto and hard-earned run to the semi-finals in Cincinnati, Barty believes she’s starting to her hit her straps entering the second week of the US Open in New York.
And that was always the plan for the French Open champion.
“I had two weeks off completely after Wimbledon knowing I would probably come into Toronto and Cincinnati a little bit underdone,” Barty said ahead of her fourth-round clash with Qiang Wang.
“But it was more important that I rest and give myself a chance to recover both mentally and physically, then knowing we still had enough time to kind of be ready for this week here in New York.
“Obviously we tried as best as we could to do well in Toronto or Cincinnati, but weren’t really too stressed either way.
“Bigger picture, knowing we had those two weeks off of resting and recovering, just really enjoying time with my family.
“That European stint for us Aussies is a tough one. We’re away for three months. There’s no real opportunity to head back home in between the two slams.
“Now I feel like every day I’ve been getting better and better.”
Barty says it’s imperative to down tools during the gruelling season to be able to peak for the big events.
“I certainly don’t hesitate in taking a week off. I do it often throughout the year,” she said.
“Just complete racquets down, don’t kind of chat to my team. I just go and refresh and get away from everyone. I know when I come back, I’ll be better for it.
“Yes, it may take two or three extra days, but it’s not going to take two or three extra weeks, so it’s not something I have to stress about.”
Barty could regain the world No.1 ranking with victory over Wang – and it wouldn’t be undeserved.
In addition to boasting an equal-tour-topping three titles and 45 match wins in 2019 with Karolina Pliskova, Barty has matched or exceeded her career-best performances at a fifth consecutive grand slam.
“That’s what we aim for. It’s what we strive to do – the best we can every tournament. Particularly at slams, to make that a bit of a focus point, to try to be ready, to try and make sure that I’m giving myself the best chance to go deep in the slams,” Barty said.
“Really happy to be into another second week.”
Barty also remains in the hunt for a second successive US Open doubles crown after combining with Victoria Azarenka on Saturday to reach the third round.
Champion with Coco Vandeweghe last year, Barty and Azarenka saved a match point in a nerve-wracking 6-3 3-6 7-6 (12-10) win over Abigail Spears and Nadiia Kichenok that took almost two and a half hours.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY SIX OF THE US OPEN AT FLUSHING MEADOWS:
Women’s singles, third round (prefix denotes seeding)
2-Ashleigh Barty v 18-Qiang Wang (CHN)
Men’s singles, third round
Alex de Minaur v Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)
