“It’s all about perspective,” world number one Ash Barty told the media after her shock exit from the Australian Open.
There were high hopes she would be the first Australian woman since 1980 to reach her nation’s final. Sadly it didn’t happen. The 23-year-old top seed was upstaged 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 by Russian-born American Sofia Kenin in Melbourne Thursday.
Barty arrived in Melbourne as the WTA’s top-ranked player, as the WTA Finals winner and French Open grand slam champion. Australia had great expectations.
But although Barty was unable to go all the way amid the hype, she was nevertheless in good spirits after her loss.
“Perspective is a beautiful thing,” said the 23-year-old Queenslander while holding her baby niece, Olivia.
“Life is a beautiful thing”
“Life is a beautiful thing. She (Olivia) brought a smile to my face as soon as I came off the court. I got to give her a hug. It’s all good. It’s all good.”
Barty, the strong favourite of the New Jersey sports betting industry, and 14th seed Kenin were forced to endure scorching conditions. The temperature during her match was just short of 40 degrees Celsius.
The Rod Laver Arena roof remained opened throughout as the heat stress scale hovered just under five. Had that number been reached it would have meant a suspension in play and a roof closure.
Barty, though, refused to use the weather as an excuse after wasting two set points in both the first and second sets.
“I’ve grown up in Queensland. I’ve played in summers, played in the sun a long time. I know Sofia has also grown up in Florida,” Barty said. “Everyone is playing in the same conditions. It didn’t help or hinder me. It kind of is what it is.”
“I never felt super confident”
Barty wasn’t finished: “I think [it was] a match where I never felt super comfortable, she added.
“I felt like my first plan wasn’t working. I couldn’t execute the way that I wanted. I tried to go to plans B and C. I think I had to dig and find a way.
“I mean, I’m two points away from winning that in straight sets, which is disappointing. Knowing I had to fight and scrap, I still gave myself a chance to win the match.”
She continued: “It’s disappointing. But it’s been a hell of a summer. If you would have told me three weeks ago I would have won a tournament in Adelaide and made the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Well, I’d have taken that absolutely every single day of the week.”
Glass half full ????@ashbarty | #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/fwc4HaYaxP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2020