“One thing I did towards the end of my career was just limit the amount of outside distractions I had,” he said.
“When you’re playing the grand slams and all these tournaments,that is going to be one of the big,major things for your sponsorship. But it’s really draining on you emotionally.
“You’re out in the public a lot,which is,yes,it’s actually quite draining. So you want to try and get away from all that sort of thing. So I was pretty much able to isolate myself a little bit more at home as well. And that seemed to help.”
Former English player Sam Smith believes the top seed is ideally placed to break the Australian drought at Melbourne Park. “Yes,I think so far this is Ash’s best chance,” she said.
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The Channel Nine commentator said Barty’s circumstances in Melbourne last year,when she rejoined the tour after a long absence due to the pandemic,made things difficult for her.
The dual major winner was beaten in a quarter-final by Karolina Muchova after losing concentration when her rival left the court citing illness early in the second set.
While the Queenslander ended her season after the US Open,the Wimbledon winnershowed no signs of rustiness at Memorial Drive in her title run to start the season in Adelaide.
“I just felt that when she lost in the quarter-finals to Muchova … Ash lost her focus,” Smith said.
“I don’t think that would have happened if she’d had lots of matches,had a regular previous year. I also think she’s moved on again mentally,because there were so many challenges last year with the travelling and being away that she overcame. She’ll be the most acclimatised of any player here.”
With Scott Spits
The Australian Open starts Monday on Channel Nine and 9Now.
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