You love the competitive one-on-one aspect, where you look across the net, and you're trying to beat your opponent. You're doing everything you physically can to win on that day.
— Ashleigh Barty
I was very fortunate to have a coach when I was young who taught me all the traditional shots and taught me a pretty traditional game style, in a way.
I'm certainly not the tallest girl on the tour, so I know that I have to sort of try and match the girls in the way. I know, for me, it's trying to be super aggressive, especially off the first ball in the rally.
It's exciting when there is any growth in women's sport.
I've always wanted to be my own player from the start and do things a bit differently to what the others do. I want to play my own way.
The cricket team has been great. There's never a lonesome moment. If you are struggling, there are 10 girls who can help you out and get you through the tough times. We can enjoy the ups and downs together.
If I win, it's a bonus. If I lose, the sun still comes up the next day, and it's all good.
There are not a lot of people in the world that get to say they get to walk through the gates of Wimbledon and play on Centre Court. It's pretty phenomenal, and we're very lucky to live this life that we do.
I don't normally get too excited. I just - yeah, I just try and keep it pretty simple, and that's just my personality, really.
I've become more mature on and off the court, and I've learned how to deal with some of those big occasions much better.
I think the only expectation is that I put on myself to do everything right and to put myself in a position to perform as best that I can.
There has to be a very good balance between being aggressive and then being able to defend as well.
My Indigenous heritage is something I hold close to my heart.
I want to prove I'm a top-15 player, possibly top 10.
I just think it's great in cricket to come into a team environment. It's the first time I've ever experienced it.
The more balls that I hit, it's going to get better and better. Once I get a bit more confidence in my ball striking, that's when we can get down to the nitty gritty parts of the game.
I would like to not lose the first set all the time and not get hit off the court.
Tennis has been a part of my life since I was five years old.
I think women's tennis is so open. Anyone in the top 30 can do damage in the big tournaments.
Obviously, it's nice when you're having success, but this isn't going to last forever. There are going to be rough times as well, but you've just got to ride those.
It's the older girls I seem to get on with. I think it's just because they kind of respect me as a player, I suppose.
Cricket is semi-pro for women in Australia, but the girls work damn hard, and it's credit to them to try and grow the sport.
There are a lot of hours and a lot of sacrifices you have to make to achieve your dreams as a tennis player.
I just want to be the best I can and create my own style of game.
You obviously have a different perspective on life when you're 20 compared to when you're 16.
It is tough when you're by yourself, and I think that's why team sport is so appealing.
It would be awesome to play in my backyard.
I certainly fear no one, and I know I can go out there and match up with the world's best.
Australians are hungry for sport. They love it. They're addicted to it.
One of the best sayings in tennis and sport is that pressure is a privilege.
I feel comfortable on and off the court, happy in my own skin, just really comfortable with the way I'm playing my tennis.
I went from not being known anywhere in the world to winning junior Wimbledon and six months later playing the Australian Open. I was a victim of my own success, really.
You've just got to believe in and trust everyone in your team, and no doubt they will, too.
We're always wanting to get better. I'm very much a perfectionist.
I had never played a team sport when I was younger.
That's the ultimate goal - to try to go deep into the Australian Open and deep into the other slams throughout the year.
I love the sport of tennis, but I sort of got a little bit away from what I really wanted to do. It became robotic for me, and that's not what I wanted. It's such an amazing sport, and I just really wanted to enjoy it, and I lost that enjoyment and that passion.
I don't watch much tennis, never really have.
You never approach any prof or semi-professional sport as a hit and giggle.
I think everyone needs to take a few breaks.
Every single match, win, lose or draw, there's something that we can improve on, and it's about us addressing that straight after the match.
I'm driven to win every single match.
When I'm relaxed, I play my best tennis.
The support we get in Australia is phenomenal.
Any time you can go out and compete is better than getting on a practice court.
Any time you enter a tournament before a slam, there's always the possibility you'll be arriving late. It's a very good problem to have.
It's nice to know that whoever I walk out on court against, I feel comfortable.
I feel like I put pressure on myself to perform well and to play well and to do well. That's what I expect of myself. It's not always going to happen, but I can certainly sort of put myself in the position where I can get the best out of myself.
Cricket and tennis are very different skill sets, but I've played tennis all my life, so it's a lot easier coming back than learning how to face a cricket ball for the first time.
I just continue to work on what I want to work on, and I'm not rushing to achieve anything, really.
