Ash Barty: new roof at Cairns Tennis Centre will help grow sport in the region

World No. 1 Ash Barty, of Australia, was on hand to help launch the new roof structure at the Cairns International Tennis Centre, saying it will help boost the profile of the sport in the region.

Ash Barty on the new roof at the Cairns International Tennis Centre

Barty, who has decided to skip the upcoming US Open in New York due to her concerns about the current health crisis, was on hand with John Millman, Lizette Cabrera and John-Patrick Smith for the launch.

According to Tennis Australia, Barty says the new roof is an incredible addition for the future of the sport in the region. “It’s incredible. I haven’t actually been up here to play at this tennis centre before, so it was nice to come up and to see the roof. It’s going to do massive things – not just for professional tennis but also for grassroots tennis and I think that’s the ultimate goal and what the investment was for, was to help tennis through all ages and all levels. When you have a roof,  it brings a whole different dynamic to professional tournaments. Obviously it gives you the cover, if the weather is a bit iffy, it gives you kind of that trust in that tournament, knowing that you’ll be able to get through it. Also for kids, it’s also about sun safety when you’re younger. It’s incredible to have the roof here, to have the investment, have the infrastructure brought in with the government and with the Cairns council is incredible.”

Millman, who is ranked No. 43 in the world, was also very impressed with the facilities at Cairns.  “I think it’s brilliant and I’ve been so impressed throughout my stay here in Cairns. And I think it’s culminated perfectly with the opening of the new roof here at the tennis centre. It’s really important, especially here with the inclement weather. I heard it gets pretty hot up here in Cairns … so it’s always nice to have a bit of shade also.”

Ash Barty is the current World No. 1 in singles and has won eight singles titles and ten doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including the 2019 French Open in singles and the 2018 US Open with partner CoCo Vandeweghe. She is also the reigning champion in singles at the season ending WTA Finals.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2DA9Ia5