Ash Barty reveals next move, will look to bounce back fast

The world number one is moving on fast from her Australian Open disappointment and will be back in action next week.

The Australian Open might finish this weekend but there’s still more tennis to be played before the world’s best head back overseas.

The Adelaide International, a WTA 500 event, begins on Monday and Ash Barty has confirmed she will return to defend the title she won in 2020.

“I am looking forward to coming back to Adelaide and having the opportunity to defend my title,” Barty said.

“I feel grateful to get another week playing in front of Australian fans.”

Barty has held the world’s number one ranking since June, 2019, but will face a severe test to hold on to the position this year as Naomi Osaka makes a push.

The Aussie dropped points after failing to progress as far as she did last year at the Australian Open and has plenty more to defend, beginning with Adelaide.

Ashleigh Barty with runner up Dayana Yastremska at the 2020 Adelaide International. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Barty appeared in good spirits has she drowned her sorrows over a beer with Pat Rafter this week.

There’s been sobering predictions for Barty’s career after she fell apart against Muchova, after the Czech 25th seed took a controversial medical time-out.

But the world number one made no excuses and is now preparing to spend the rest of 2021 on the road as she chases more titles.

Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer said she planned on playing a full schedule this year, including the postponed Tokyo Olympics, that might see her on the road until Christmas.

“Because of the quarantine arrangements here, we won’t come back for a while,” Tyzzer said of Australia’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for incoming travellers.

“We’re hoping that we’ll set up some sort of base somewhere probably in Europe where we can at least switch off.

“She’s pretty keen to play (at the Tokyo Games). We’re hoping for her that goes ahead.”