Teenage tennis prodigy Ashleigh Barty isn’t ruling out a career-best grand-slam run after being awarded a wildcard into the French Open starting this month.
Tennis Australia had no hesitation in throwing another wildcard Barty’s way after the former Wimbledon junior champion scored her breakthrough first win at a major last year at Roland Garros.
Barty then kicked on to also reach the second round of the US Open in a breakout season in which she also made three grand slam doubles finals with Casey Dellacqua.
Winning the Wimbledon junior championship on grass at just 15 didn’t immediately translate into any notable triumphs on clay, but the teenager says she’s learning to enjoy playing on the red dirt.
“It’s a part of the season that we have to play on for a couple of months so you have to learn to love it, otherwise you’re never going to have success on it,” Barty said on Tuesday.
“Sliding around and playing a few shots on it, hopefully I can re-create the success that I had at the French last year and get hopefully another win.”
Or perhaps even two or three.
“Sometimes a draw’s got to work out in your favour and I’ve just got to turn up on the day and give it the best that I can. I’ll give it a go,” she said.
Long touted as the next Martina Hingis for her small frame and crafty playing style, Barty turned 18 last month and says she’s developing well physically and mentally.
“Once you do hit 18, you’re really ready to take on the world in a way,” she said.
“I’m still working to get there but I’m happy with where I’m at at the moment.
“I’ve had some good success. I’ve just got to keep knuckling down and working hard and I’m sure I’ll get the results that I want.”