“That’s what I loved the most, the tactical side of the game” – Ash Barty misses the thrill of the fight the most

The Australian also hopes that Simona Halep’s case gets a hearing soon

Ashleigh Barty at the 2022 Australian Open Image Credit: Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic

May 11, 2023

Former women’s world No 1 Ash Barty, who retired from the sport last year while she was the top-ranked player in the game, says that what she missed the most is the thrill of the fight and working on tactics to defeat the opponent.

Barty, whose variety-packed game made her a favourite among fans and fellow players, shows no signs of coming back with the Australian expecting her first child later this year.

“Probably what I miss the most is the thrill of the fight with Tyzz (Craig Tyzzer), sitting down together and working out a way to completely unravel our opponent,” she says. “That’s what I loved the most, the tactical side of the game and being able to make your opponent feel very uncomfortable and do that with my skills and my weapons. I do miss spending time with … all of my team. But our relationship hasn’t changed. The contact is just not as frequent and not as high octane, I will say. But the team footy tipping account is still alive and well, so the banter is still flying.”

“I really sincerely hope that she has an opportunity to have her say and to explain her side, because there are always two sides to every story” – Barty

Romania's Simona Halep and Australia's Ashleigh Barty shake hands after their quarter final match at the Madrid Open 2019 — Romania’s Simona Halep and Australia’s Ashleigh Barty shake hands after their quarter final match at the Madrid Open 2019 Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion also spoke about the ongoing doping suspension of Simona Halep, a former world No 1 who is now sitting on the sidelines due to injury.

“I love Simo and I respect Simo. I’ve spoken to her a little bit over the last 12 months or so, just checking in to see how she is going. She is an exceptional person,” Barty says. “I really sincerely hope that she has an opportunity to have her say and to explain her side, because there are always two sides to every story. I think you’d be struggling to find anyone who wouldn’t want to see her back out there doing what she absolutely loves, which is competing on a big stage against the best in the world.”