‘I still give Ash Barty a great chance at Wimbledon,’ says former star
A former Australian tennis star believes Ash Barty has a great chance of winning Wimbledon despite her recent withdrawal at the French Open due to injury.
Jelena Dokic, who had a career high ranking of World No 4, believes her compatriot and the top ranked female player is one of the favourites to lift the Wimbledon title.
“She’s got the type of game where she is aggressive, but she does not play extra risky tennis. She has a lot more shape and safety, she has Plan B, C, D and E, I would even say,” said Dokic, who became the only qualifier to beat a World No 1 player at Wimbledon when she defeated Martina Hingis at the age of 16.
“If it doesn’t work from the back, she can come in. She can mix it up. Also upset the rhythm of her opponents. Worst case scenario, she will still serve pretty well.
“If Ash is 100 per cent (physically) going into Wimbledon, which we don’t know, but if she is, I still give her a great chance of getting far into the tournament.
“I think it’s just a matter of time before she goes really deep, and I actually wouldn’t be surprised if it happens this year, even with her injury and the uncertainty of it.
“Her game is so well suited to grass. And not just her game, but her head and her mindset, because she’s such a smart player.”
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