Evonne Goolagong Cawley and John Newcombe believe Ash Barty can win Grand Slam title
TWO of Australia’s greatest tennis stars believe Newcombe Medal winner Ash Barty has the ability and drive to complete her incredible comeback story with a Grand Slam title.
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EVONNE Goolagong Cawley staunchly believes Newcombe Medallist Ash Barty can win a Grand Slam singles title.
But it is also Barty’s potential to lead Australians to playing tennis because of her stylish game, allied to her feel-good comeback story, which resonates personally with the 66-year-old Goolagong Cawley.
“When I watch Ash play now, it makes me want to play again,’’ said Australia’s dual Wimbledon champion.
“She has all the skills of becoming a real champion. She has the hands and she has the power too, as well as a volley and a big serve.
“I watch her and I think, ‘wow that must feel good’.’’
Seven-time Grand Slam title winner John Newcombe said after presenting Barty, ranked No.17, with Tennis Australia’s annual best player award on Monday night that she can become a top-10 player next year and a future Grand Slam singles title winner.
Goolagong Cawley agrees and says a contentment with tennis, so markedly different than when Barty was so unhappy with the tennis tour that she took a 16-month break, has been a clear key to her success in 2017.
MOMENTUM: Barty to capitalise on 2017 success
“The way she is going now, it (a Grand Slam title) is possible one day – it seems like a lot of the other players are nervous about playing Ash these days,’’ Goolagong Cawley said.
“That’s a good sign. She looks so professional, so calm and settles her mind after each shot.
“Just seeing her play recently on television, when she came back from playing cricket, she’s has come a long way.
“I’ve noticed on court she’s really happy to be back in the sport.’’
This year The 21-year-old Queenslander posted wins over three women who held the No. 1 ranking in 2017 – Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber and Karolina Pliskova – as well as French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko and England’s top-10 player Johanna Konta.
“That’s amazing to hear of those very kind words coming from legends like Newk and Evonne,’’ Barty said.
“One day maybe I can lift a Grand Slam trophy – we’ll see.
“It (a top 10 ranking) is very close, but it’s about consolidating next year and staying inside the top 20.’’
Barty will be unseeded at the Brisbane and Sydney Internationals before playing the Australian Open in her latest bid to make a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time.
“I was back on court training before 8am this morning – what I did this year counts for nothing (in 2018),’’ she said.
The Ipswich right-hander said she’ll be back training in Brisbane early next month and she wanted to start the season well.
“I’ve never played Sydney before and I’ll always have the Brisbane tournament on my calendar,’’ she said.
“I love playing the Australian Open and the Australian summer and getting the support we do as Australian players.’’
Originally published as Evonne Goolagong Cawley and John Newcombe believe Ash Barty can win Grand Slam title
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