|
The 23-year-old has had a whirlwind 2019,
claiming her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open to
become the first Australian to win one of the four majors since
Sam Stosur's 2011 U.S. Open triumph.
Barty also became Australia's first woman to earn the No. 1
ranking since Evonne Goolagong in the 1970s and led the nation
to the Fed Cup final for the first time in over a quarter of a
century.
"I’m really excited to hopefully be a part of my very first
Olympics," Barty told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday. "I
think it could make the year extra special, but there are so
many parts of the year that I’m looking forward to."
Her first big goal in 2020 will be to end her country's long
wait for a home winner at the Australian Open which starts next
month. The last was Chris O'Neil, who claimed the women's title
at the 1978 tournament.
Barty will be the center of attention as top seed at Melbourne
Park but said it would not change her approach.
"There are 127 other girls in the draw that I have to try and
beat as well," she said.
"Regardless of the number next to your name, everyone's trying
to do the same thing.
"It’s about me preparing in the right way over the next five or
six weeks to give myself the best chance to be ready and to be
feeling really good coming into the Australian Open."
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
