Ashleigh Barty's 2021: will it be easy to restart?

Ashleigh Barty's 2021: will it be easy to restart? The world no.1, after many months out of the court, will come back for the upcoming Australian Open 2021.

After the semifinal at the 2020 Australian Open, his season practically ended. Shortly before the start of the Indian Wells tournament, the tennis world is engulfed by the COVID-19 Pandemic, causing the postponement or cancellation of many tournaments, including Wimbledon, suspended only for the two World Wars, and the Olympics in Tokyo, provisionally moved to 2021.

The French Open was held in September, immediately after the US Open. As for the ranking, it was frozen on March 9, 2020, allowing tennis players to maintain the points obtained in the tournaments played the previous year; the various primates are also frozen.

The tennis season resumes in August, but with the US swing on hard-courts, Barty decides not to take part, giving up both the Western & Southern Open and the US Open. Later, due to the criticality still present due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided not to even face the European trip, skipping both Rome and Roland Garros.

Ashleigh Barty's 2021: will it be easy to restart?

Although Barty hasn't been on the pitch since February, she held the lead in the women's ranking until the end of the year, finishing as world number 1 for the second consecutive year.

The real question is: how will she be physically and mentally when they resume the comeptitions? Will she be considered one of the favorites to win at the Australian Open? How long will it take you to find the rhythm of the matches?

It's not easy: Barty is in the same condition as Roger Federer, but unlike the Swiss Maestro she didn't suffer two surgeries in 2020 and, above all, being still very young, her recovery times will certainly be faster. It will be necessary to understand the impact against other rivals who in 2020 have still relatively played.

To be able to confirm the good things seen in 2018 and 2019, the Australian will have to quickly find solutions and fitness, otherwise she risks being overwhelmed by opponents who will not wait for her. Where she can aspire to win? At the Australian Open and at the US Open, more than at the Roland Garros. At Wimbledon this year much wll depend after a year without grass-swing.

Before the US Open she said: "My team and I have decided this year not to go to the US for the Western & Southern Open or the US Open. I love both events and for this reason it was very difficult to reach this conclusion, but there are still important risks related to the Coronavirus emergency and I don't feel comfortable putting my team and myself in a position like this. I wish the USTA the best in tournaments and look forward to returning to the US next year."

Before the French Open, she said: "It was a tough decision to make, but sadly this year I won't be competing in Europe. Last year's French Open was the most special tournament of my career, so it's not a decision I made lightly. There are two reasons for my decision. The first is linked to the health risks that still exist due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The second is my preparation, which was not ideal as my coach was unable to train with me due to the closure of the lockdown also imposed in Australia."

Now will she be ready for the upcoming season?

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3rh1wjd