Ashleigh Barty rejected a possible comeback on the WTA tour at an event in Brisbane.
von tennisnet.com
last edited: September 16, 2023, 10:23 a.m
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Ashleigh Barty und Patrick Rafter in Brisbane
That would be something for the beginning of 2024: Not only Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber are returning to the WTA tour after their maternity leave – but also Ashleigh Barty. But while preparations for Osaka and Kerber to return to action are apparently underway, Ash Barty won’t be seen on a professional tennis court any time soon. The suspicion is obvious: never again.
Because the still only 27-year-old is very happy with her status quo, as she explained at an event in Brisbane. “I just don’t have the time,” said the three-time major winner. “I don’t have enough time to train, not enough time to prepare. And I have so many great memories on this court… now I’m just making new memories.”
Barty without much concern for Australian tennis
If anyone didn’t understand that, Barty added: “I’m definitely not coming back from retirement. That’s more likely with Pat Rafter.” That would actually be exciting: Rafter, a two-time champion at the US Open, is now 50 years old.
Barty has left the scene as number one. The best Australian, Kimberley Birrell, is currently in position 103 in the WTA charts. A development that Ashleigh Barty is observing, but that doesn’t cause her undue concern. “Of course there are not as many girls in the top 100 as we would like. But there are enough who are currently learning the craft of being a professional tennis player. It takes time to understand, to find your way around, to find your own game . I’m looking forward to the next five to 10 years to see how far they can go.”
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Barty Ashleigh
2023-09-16 10:20:00
#Pat #Rafter #comeback #tennisnet.com
