US Open: New York is Ash Barty’s kind of city

The US Open has played a significant role in both phases of Ash Barty’s tennis career.

Ash Barty puts in some practice for the US Open in New York. Picture: AP

Ash Barty’s career will invariably be assessed through the prism of the periods before and after her sabbatical from tennis between 2014 and 2016.

It is at Flushing Meadows, where the Australian, 23, begins her US Open campaign against Zarina Diyas tonight (2am, AEDT), where critical moments in her career have occurred.

It was clear when watching Barty in New York a year ago that she was becoming capable of leaving a major imprint on the sport. The Queenslander made it to the last 16 of a grand slam event for the first time in singles.

She also claimed the US Open doubles crown in tandem with CoCo Vandeweghe.

Not long after Barty’s triumph, the last Australian to claim the US Open singles title, Sam Stosur, spoke of the importance of that doubles triumph.

The 2011 US Open champion said previous success at grand slam level in doubles and mixed had helped her deal with the most famous moment in her career. Stosur astutely predicted a similar scenario for Barty.

In the 12 months since her doubles success, the world No 2 has raised the bar every time she has stepped out at grand slam level.

She reached the last eight at a major for the first time in Melbourne in January. After a significant win in the Miami Open, she famously succeeded on the red dirt of Roland Garros in June.

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At Wimbledon, where she was top seed for the first time, she was surprised by Alison Riske in the fourth round but still posted her best effort at the All England Club.

Importantly, as Barty noted this weekend, the environment at Flushing Meadows and the mayhem of Manhattan is actually something she enjoys.

“There is no place in the world like New York. I have been here a few times now and I understand the city a little bit better,” she said.

“You come here and just take it in your stride. You enjoy it. There’s no point fighting it. It’s a beautiful city, a beautiful place that we get to come and play and compete every single year.

“I love New York City. I love the conditions here. I think it’s definitely a spark in my calendar.”

While that is undoubtedly true, New York is also the setting where she realised the need to take what has proven to be the critical step in her career. And that was to step away from the sport she loves.

A prodigious talent in junior ranks, the former Wimbledon girls champion enjoyed great success in doubles with partner Casey Dellacqua, reaching three finals at grand slam level while still at school. But she initially struggled in singles in the senior ranks.

Self-doubt and lack of confidence plagued her. Most crippling, though, was homesickness. Barty battled with being on the road and away from her family for significant periods.

And the loneliness was certainly apparent in New York in 2014 when, after qualifying while ranked 186 in the world, she was crushed by Barbora Strycova in the opening round.

It was the last singles match Barty played before taking a lengthy break from the sport.

At a press conference in New York on Saturday, Barty was among players who spoke of the need to look after their mental health and the struggles that come with touring year round.

Barty emphasises the assistance her coach Craig Tyzzer, performance director Ben Crowe and a team that includes agent Nikki Craig have provided in helping her reach the top of the field.

And it is clear “Team Barty” has helped her become an assured athlete both on the court and in dealing with the obligations that come with being one of the world’s best players.

“I think I had my own battles with mental health, and it was important for me to begin the conversation and start talking about that. That started with people I trust,” Barty said.

“I think that’s probably the most important thing is to know there are a lot of people in the world that struggle with it. It’s not just you. You can go out there and talk to people you trust.

“You know, I think then it’s about beginning to learn to enjoy everything. There are some different parts that come with being a professional tennis player. There are some great parts. I think it’s important to embrace and enjoy it all, take it in your stride and take it as it comes.

“I think that’s the best part about it that as tennis players we are shown so much around the world, extremely lucky to be able to do what we do. It’s challenging at times but it’s very rewarding.”