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Rain delay no problem for Ash Barty as a game of cricket settled her nerves before French Open victory

For Ash Barty, the French Open was all about perfection and “stars aligning”. But another sport played a crucial role in the Queenslander’s epic climb to grand slam stardom.

Leo Schlink in ParisEXCLUSIVE
less than 2 min read
June 9, 2019 - 9:10AM
News Corp Australia Network
Ash Barty playing cricket

For Ashleigh Barty, the French Open was all about perfection and “stars aligning.”

But the Herald Sun can reveal how cricket – and not merely tennis – played a crucial role in the Queenslander’s epic climb to grand slam stardom.

As Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem scuttled back to the locker room as rain swept over Roland Garros delaying their semi-final, Barty and her support team played cricket in the gymnasium as they waited to go on court.

French Open champ Ashleigh Barty in her cricket days. Picture: Annette Dew
French Open champ Ashleigh Barty in her cricket days. Picture: Annette Dew

Bowling to her coach Craig Tyzzer, former Brisbane Heat all-rounder Barty was the picture of serenity.

And her laid-back mindset allowed her to wipe Court Philippe-Chatrier with Czech Marketa Vondrousova.

Post-match, Barty paid tribute to her former Brisbane cricket teammates.

Ashley Barty (taking catch) and Brisbane Heat cricket players train with Nutri-Grain Ironwomen in Ash’s cricket days. Picture: Adam Head
Ashley Barty (taking catch) and Brisbane Heat cricket players train with Nutri-Grain Ironwomen in Ash’s cricket days. Picture: Adam Head

“Yeah, it truly was an amazing period of my life,” she said of her 21-month sabbatical from tennis.

“Probably more so I met an amazing group of people who couldn’t care less whether I could hit a tennis ball or not.

“They accepted me, and they got to know Ash Barty.

French Open champ Ashleigh Barty remains firm friends with her former cricket teammates. Picture: Annette Dew
French Open champ Ashleigh Barty remains firm friends with her former cricket teammates. Picture: Annette Dew

“They got to know me. I still have those relationships to this very day.

“I got an amazing amount of messages over the last couple of days from those cricket girls who were some of my best friends.

French Open tennis champ Ashleigh Barty has made a successful transition back to tennis from her stint in cricket. Picture: AFP
French Open tennis champ Ashleigh Barty has made a successful transition back to tennis from her stint in cricket. Picture: AFP

“The way they are accepting of someone new coming into their locker room, into their dressing room and into their sport was amazing.

“They are truly an incredible group of girls that I know I’ll have a relationship with for the rest of my life and a friendship with for the rest of my life.”

French Open champ Ashleigh Barty still likes cricket, but she loves tennis these days. Picture: AFP
French Open champ Ashleigh Barty still likes cricket, but she loves tennis these days. Picture: AFP

Barty was so proficient at her adopted sport, there was conjecture she could have played for Australia.

She remains a huge cricket fan, having travelled to the Caribbean last year for the women’s cricket World Cup.

HOW THE TENNIS WORLD REACTED

Ash Barty already had a massive supporter base Down Under as a dinky di Aussie, but when you utter the word “f--- immediately after winning your first grand slam your stocks must soar.

The reaction around the world and in Australia has been unanimous in its support of Barty and her incredible achievement.

Here’s some of the responses to her feat overnight:

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/rain-delay-no-problem-for-ash-barty-as-a-game-of-cricket-settled-her-nerves-before-french-open-victory/news-story/a61a9c139ca2c3733f51f50d85652f2e