Tennis star Barty embraces FNQ opportunities

With so much uncertainty around the globe, the best female tennis player in the world has relished the chance to offer some inspiration to Cairns children during a visit to the Far North.

Australian tennis players Lizette Cabrera, Ash Barty, John Millman and John-Patrick Smith in Cairns. Ash Barty gives out tennis racquets to Edge Hill State School prep students including Emma Shields. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.

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With so much uncertainty and concern around the globe, the best female tennis player in the world says it is incredible to provide a positive impact to the local community in her short stay in FNQ.

World No. 1 Ash Barty is in Cairns for a couple of days, alongside fellow professionals, John Millman and John-Patrick Smith and Lizette Cabrera, and ran a school clinic at Edge Hill State School on Friday morning.

Australian tennis players John Millman, John-Patrick Smith, Lizette Cabrera and Ash Barty talking to prep students at Edge Hill State School in Cairns. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

That was all before embarking on a couple of exhibition games on Saturday, as well as being on hand to open the new roof at the Cairns International Tennis Centre.

Just days after Barty revealed she had withdrawn from the upcoming US Open, the 24-year-old reflected on her trip to FNQ alongside tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley last year. “It is incredible, we still talk about the trip Evonne and I did last year up in this beautiful part of the world,” Barty said.

Australian tennis players Lizette Cabrera, Ash Barty, John Millman and John-Patrick Smith in Cairns. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

“That was a really successful, rewarding trip and to come back again and hopefully we can create a positive impact for the community right now, that is what it is all about.

“It has been really nice to come here, even though it is a short trip, it is great to frequent the area.’’

Barty announced her withdrawal for the US Open on Thursday as the event was postponed due to COVID-19 and is now scheduled for August 31-September 13.

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On the other hand Queenslander Millman is set to jump on a plane in the coming days and head to Flushing Meadows.

Australian tennis players Lizette Cabrera, Ash Barty, John Millman and John-Patrick Smith in Cairns. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.

Millman joked that he could not make a decision like Barty, he needs the cash to keep living, but does have questions about how the tournament will be able to go ahead with several high-profile tennis players flaunting social distancing restrictions over the last few months.

“It looks like I will be on a plane to head over there to restart my life on tour,” Millman said.

“I have my safety concerns and potentially there are a few more questions I would like to have answered because there are tennis players who have shown they cannot be trusted.”

Barty said she will make a decision soon around if she will defend her French Open title at Roland Garros, which will start on September 27.

Australian tennis players Lizette Cabrera, Ash Barty, John Millman and John-Patrick Smith in Cairns. Ash Barty talks to prep students at Edge Hill State School. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Meanwhile, the tennis centre roof redevelopment has been a $2.7m project funded with $1.7m from the local council and $997,000 from the federal government.

The roof opening and tennis exhibition is an invitation-only event and not open to the public. “These measures have been taken to ensure compliance to physical distancing protocols as part of the biosecurity processes in place,” Tennis Australia said.

Originally published as Tennis star Barty embraces FNQ opportunities