Well. 1 Ash Barty says increased depth is good for women’s tennis

World number one Ash Barty said 2021 was a big year for breakthrough performances and there was real depth in women’s tennis, which promises good for the sport.

The women’s Grand Slam tournaments were won by all the different players for the fifth year in a row in 2021, and there were also new winners at the WTA Finals and the Tokyo Olympics.

“Every year there are new challengers no matter who is which place on the rankings,” Barty told reporters before Adelaide International, one of the tuning events for the Australian Open.

“Until 2021, there were certainly several breaking years, the girls really got up, were able to play in really steady seasons, which is exciting to see in the women’s game.

“The depth is really good, and you have to bring in your best time and time again to compete with everyone and give yourself a chance to win the big championships.”

Barty also stressed the importance of playing in tuning competitions at the start of the season, when the 25-year-old left the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup in late 2021.

“It’s a different beast. You just have to enjoy it and work through it for the first couple of weeks because you rarely play your best tennis right from the start,” Barty said.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge that starts here in Adelaide and I’m trying to find my career, and I really enjoy being on the field again.”