Ashleigh Barty ‘wouldn’t change adventure of 2021 season’

World number one Ashleigh Barty is proud of her achievements this year and will be looking to build on them at her home slam in 2022.

The Australian talent ended the year atop the WTA rankings for a third consecutive time.

By doing so she became just the fifth woman to achieve such a feat after Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams.

“I am proud I was able to finish the year at number one, especially after the challenging and unpredictable season,” Barty told Tennis Australia.

“Being away from home for so long was really tough for not only me but my whole team, everyone made sacrifices which I’m very grateful for.”

“We went into 2021 knowing it was going to be an adventure and it definitely was, I wouldn’t change it.”

The 25-year-old won five tournaments in 2021 including two at WTA 1000 level and her second Slam title at Wimbledon, her first coming at the 2019 French Open.

“Being the world number one is something I am very proud of, but my ranking doesn’t change the way I am,” Barty continued.

“I try and be a good person and do the right thing, regardless of the number next to my name.”

The next big event for Barty is the Australian Open, beginning 17th January.

Her best result in Melbourne came in 2020, when she reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Sofia Kenin.

In 2021 she went out one stage earlier in the quarter-finals to 25th seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.

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