Barty catches the eye

Barty is first to admit that Junior Federation Cup is her favourite tournament. But once she has put the national colours – the Aussie green and yellow – the 5’ 4’’ Queenslander becomes one of the fearsome opponents on the court. Just ask the Indian team,who lost 0-3 at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium on Tuesday.

The Queenslander helped her country beat top seeds and favourites Russia on the first day at the World Juniors as an under-14 player last year. She was one of only three players among all participating nations to remain undefeated at the entire championships. Her form helped the unseeded Australians to a bronze medal in the world group.

This phenomenal run forced Tennis Australia to immediately promote her to the Junior Fed Cup team for the World Group final stage last year,when she was barely 14 and hadn’t been part of the Asia Oceania team.

Continuing to play with agility and aggression,Barty helped the Aussies finish fifth in the World Group,a tournament usually dominated by 16-year-olds.

The youngster is coping well with the rigours of constant travelling: “It’s not easy travelling alone as an 15-year-old. But having said that I’m the happy that I get to see all the countries,” she said.

Her good run at these team events also coincided with her rise on the ITF circuit as she won every event that she played in the later half of the year. From being around 400 in the ITF rankings last year,she is 49 in the world right now,sealing the top 50 spot with a grade one tournament victory in Malaysia last year.

With only another year left till she can be a part of the Junior Fed Cup team,Barty didn’t want to miss the bus to India as she has fond memories of this tournament.

Though her incredible rise won her the Tennis Australia Junior Athlete of the Year,her tennis talent is not limited to the junior level. In a WTA professionals tournament held in Mount Gambier,where she entered as a wild card,Barty stunned top seed Arina Rodionova on her way to winning her place in the semi-finals.

She has also reached the quarter-finals in two other professional events. Her aim for the season ahead is to play the junior French Open and Wimbledon and her rankings should be able to ensure the main draws for her in these tournaments. However,on national duty this week,she is not thinking ahead of herself and is enjoying her India stint.

Cricket fan

Passionate about all sports,she is thrilled to find that cricket – one of her other favourites – is played in India even when she peeps out of her window at seven in the morning. “I was following the World Cup throughout but only till India defeated Australia,” she says.