Rafael Nadal proves inspiration for Ashleigh Barty as she looks to impress at Australian Open

STUDYING Rafael Nadal’s run to his historic 10th French Open triumph this year has become the blueprint for Ash Barty’s plan make an impact at next month’s Australian Open.

Ashleigh Barty starts her 2018 campaign in Brisbane.

STUDYING Rafael Nadal’s run to his historic 10th French Open triumph this year has become the blueprint for Ash Barty’s plan make an impact at next month’s Australian Open.

Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer said the Aussie, a Roland Garros doubles finalist with Casey Dellacqua, had seen first-hand how Nadal managed his time and incessant requests late in his French Open campaign.

The mighty Nadal surged to a 10th singles win in Paris on the same weekend that Barty and Dellacqua lost their grand slam doubles final.

Ashleigh Barty starts her 2018 campaign in Brisbane.

Barty goes into the Brisbane International, which starts on Sunday, as the top-ranked Australian in the women’s and men’s draws.

The 21-year-old Queenslander will the centre of attention after surging into the top 20 in 2017 from an initial ranking of No.272 although she has not yet made the fourth round of a grand slam tournament.

“Ash has handled herself better and better through the year,” Tyzzer said.

“She is older and understands the process.

“At the French, we saw a lot of what Rafa does in handling the number of requests and external things to his tennis with regards people wanting his time – the press set-up and the things he had to do for the tournament.

“It stood out to us that nothing interfered with his training or how he prepared for a match. It was a good insight into the sort of things Ash needs to do and she got to see someone who has been doing it for 10 or 12 years.

“Ash sees these things as what she has to handle as she’s got better in the second half of the year and I think she’ll be OK playing at home. She is looking forward to playing in Australia when we spend so much time away.’’

Barty had three weeks off at the end of the season, but the world No.17 has been back in training – barring Christmas Day – ahead of her first round at Pat Rafter Arena.

Rafael Nadal is an inspiration to Ash Barty.

“She has to be ready on December 31 or January 1,’’ said Tyzzer, who agreed to coach Barty when she returned to tennis after a 17-month tour hiatus.

“She’s put in a solid pre-season and hopefully she is ready to do some damage over the summer.’’

Barty and Tyzzer know that wins over top-10 players Garbine Muguruza, Karolina Pliskova, Venus Williams, Jelena Ostapenko and Johanna Konta – three of whom are playing the Brisbane International – will have rival players and coaches studying her game when they come across her in the draw in 2018.

The 21-year-old Queenslander will be seeded in the eighth after the withdrawal on Friday of US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

“It’s fresh for everyone, and everyone will be ready to go after working on some things,’’ Barty said.

“What I did last year counts for nothing.

“It’s good I’m starting up again in Brisbane. That match in Brisbane (a three-set loss to world No.1 Angelique Kerber in the second round) was a statement match for me and set the tone for the year.

“We are in a different position. I am well and truly in the draw with my ranking, but it’s important for me and everyone else to start the year well.’’

Originally published as Rafael Nadal proves inspiration for Ashleigh Barty as she looks to impress at Australian Open