Relaxed Ash Barty ready for Wimbledon opener

Ash Barty showed no signs of trouble with her forearm in her final practice match before tomorrow’s Wimbledon opener.

Australia's Ashleigh Barty hits a forehand at the practice courts at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon. Picture: AFP

Ashleigh Barty showed no signs of trouble with her troubled right forearm in her final practice match before tomorrow’s Wimbledon opener.

The 23-year-old from Ipswich was relaxed as she peppered volleys and overhead shots to her hitting partner Dutch world ranked number four, Kiki Bertens — who ironically is one of the women who is vying to wrest the number one ranking off Barty.

Barty, in her favoured green top and shorts, was enjoying the bright sunshine and warm weather on the practice courts and she didn’t hold back during her hour-long session under the close watch of coach Craig Tyzzer. The forecast is for the same warm weather tomorrow when she meets Saisai Zheng in the first round.

Barty said she is relishing a tough match that she has to be “switched on for”.

“Saisai has incredible abilities to match up on a grass court. I think she has done well here in the past. She has got a good slice backhand, the kick serve that will react well off the courts. She loves playing on the grass courts. I think it’s a tough first-round match, one that I know I’ll have to be ready for.’’

And that be-on-the edge-of-your toes opponent falls into Barty’s bigger plan.

“I think that’s kind of the perfect start for me, trying to make sure I’m really switched on for that first-round match, trying to do the best that I can,’’ she said.

While Barty could then face dual grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round, the 2015 Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza in round three and the in-form Croatian player Donna Vekic in the round of 16, Barty hasn’t put her head into the thick Wimbledon compendium of player biographies.

She has been trying to keep a low profile — unsuccessfully — but appears to be handling the additional attention her scintillating form has produced, with much grace and ease. That’s down to her performance coach Ben Crowe, who has stressed routine and short term goals.

“My (Wimbledon tennis) locker is in a corner and I am pretty happy in there,’’ Barty said.

“I think you go out and respect the opponent you play. No one ever plays the reputation, you have to go out there and respect them. Absolutely you are playing the person on the other side of the net, not the reputation, not what they have done. You just try and play for what they can do today.’’

She appears relaxed, and happy; enjoying regular updates about the Australian cricket team and golf tournaments. Even Andy Murray has remarked how content she appears.

Barty said of the Wimbledon experience: “It’s impossible to play it as a normal event because Wimbledon isn’t a normal event. In my opinion, it’s one of the most incredible weeks on the calendar. I try and come out here and enjoy it.’’

Barty’s match will be played at 1pm local time (10pm AEST) on Court 1.

Defending Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber and then a match featuring the big drawcard and 23 slam winner Serena Williams have been scheduled for the centre court.

Barty says she doesn’t care which court she plays on.

“They all have the same lines,” she said.