Ash Barty says tennis must resume when its fair for all players

Ash Barty is revelling in the rare chance to spend a winter at home and believes tennis will be one of the last sports to return.

Ashleigh Barty with the Suzanne Lenglen Trophy after winning the French Open last year Picture: AFP

While she would love to be sliding from side to side on the European clay, Ash Barty is revelling in the rare chance to spend a winter at home due to the indefinite suspension of the tennis circuit.

The Queenslander should be preparing for her French Open defence, but is instead practising her putting in the backyard with her partner, golfer Garry Kissick.

Her dogs are also ensuring the world No 1 is heading out for regular walks in Brisbane, while Barty is also staying in touch with her family and friends from the tour.

“For me, I thought, ‘Man. I haven’t been home during an Australian autumn and Australian winter, particularly in Queensland, for a long time,’,” she said.

“And I love winter. Here it is amazing. It’s twenty-odd degrees and there is not a cloud in the sky. So I think, for me, it is a bit of a double-edged sword.

“Of course I’d love to be out there competing, doing what I love, but there is always a silver lining. There’s always something else to look forward to. So, for me, that’s spending time with my family and in one of the most gorgeous seasons of the year here in Australia.”

Barty, who turns 24 on Friday, said in an interview with the WTA Insider that she believes it is likely tennis will be one of the last sports that is able to resume.

“It is challenging. It is different. It’s obviously a situation I’ve probably never been in before, just because there is so much of the unknown,” she said.

“I think at the moment, it’s not really a time where we can worry about it, because it is a decision that’s taken out of our hands. And I think as an international sport, as a global sport, there’s the potential that it could be even longer.

“Because, in my eyes, I feel like it needs to be fair for everyone. I know, in Australia, where we are moving in the right direction, we’re doing quite well. But obviously tennis players are based around the world.

“We need to make sure that their health is looked after and everyone’s prepared and ready to go for that day, whenever it may be.”

Barty’s assessment on the tour resumption is matched by fellow grand slam champion Sam Stosur.

The 2011 US Open champion said there were logistical difficulties for tennis to overcome in order for circuits to be able to resume.

“I find it hard to believe that, within months, we can have the tennis circuit travelling around from court to court,” Stosur told The Australian.

“Logistically, how would that even work for us? If the advice is not to travel overseas from Australia, it is going to be very hard for us.”

The suspension of the tour until at least the US hardcourt swing at the start of August has prompted rare collaboration between the organisations that run tennis.

The WTA and ATP Tours, the International Tennis Federation and the four grand slam bodies said on Wednesday they are in discussions to provide a support package for players during the shutdown.

A package reportedly worth at least $9.5 million is among the proposals the seven bodies are discussing as a way to support lower-ranked players.

“The health and safety of everyone involved in tennis is the absolute priority for all the governing bodies and the tennis community has been unwavering in playing its part in limiting the spread of the infection,” a combined statement from the parties read.

“We know that for our players, as well as for so many people worldwide, there is the need for financial support for those who need it most, and we look forward to finalising and sharing further details of a plan in due course.”

The ATP Players Council headed by Novak Djokovic has already announced plans to institute a separate fundraising initiative to support lower-ranked men by tapping the financial reserves of those ranked inside the top 100.