Opinion
The athletes Olympic medallist Ash Barty is desperate to watch in Paris
Ash Barty
Stan Sport expertThree years ago I achieved my childhood tennis dream when I was triumphant on the famous Wimbledon grasscourts. Winning that tournament was amazing but the two weeks of tennis left me fatigued. However, there was something else important on the horizon, a tournament that I simply had to turn my attention to – the Tokyo Olympics.
Tennis is a truly global sport, but the Olympics is the pinnacle for so many other elite athletes. There wasn’t really a question of choosing not to play after I’d been selected for Australia.
Barty and Peers are bronze medallists.Credit: AP
It became one of my favourite career moments, without a doubt. John Peers and I won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles. I’ll cherish the medal and the experience for the rest of my life.
It was a really challenging week, however. Physically I was still extremely tired, fatigued and struggling. But the emotional connection you have playing for Australia made all the difference. It absolutely got me in the right zone of being able to prepare and play to the best of my ability.
I had played mixed doubles with John when I was a young, so we were a great combination. There was no one else I’d rather have shared that moment with. We had a great tournament. It was amazing to, firstly, be able to call yourself an Olympian. But then to know you’ve contributed to Australia’s medal count tally – it became something really special for me.
Bronze medallists Peers and Barty with members of the Australian team in Tokyo.Credit: Getty Images
Now, as the Paris Olympics get underway, it’s my turn to be on the other side of the camera. I did some commentary at Wimbledon this year and I’m rapt to now be given the chance to provide some insights into tennis on Stan about the Olympic tennis competition at an iconic venue in Roland Garros.
The Olympics is probably the one event where people tune into from everywhere. Viewers usually have an interest in one of the sports, or one of the athletes.
I’m excited to work with the best in commentary, too. It’s pretty unique, being on this side of the fence. In some ways I’m dipping my toes into commentary as it’s a completely different skill set. The knowledge of the game is what I’ve gained and trained my whole life for, but being able to articulate it in the correct way for the TV or streaming audience, for a way for people to enjoy the sport, is different.
I enjoyed my time over in the UK working on Wimbledon commentary, but it’ll be nice to be back here in Australia and talking about the sport that we love, the sport that I trained and prepared my whole life.I really enjoy watching others bring out the best in themselves.
On the court, for a big event played on clay, it’s hard to go past Iga Swiatek as the women’s player to beat. She’s a three-time defending champion at Roland Garros, right? She wasn’t beaten on clay this year, through Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros.
The person who has challenged her the most, Aryna Sabalenka, is not playing. For Iga, whether or not she’s got the ability to keep her emotions in check is important. I think last time we saw her in Tokyo they kind of boiled over a little bit. I think if she can keep her emotions and that mentality stable, Iga’s game is by far the best on clay.
But someone else to look out for is Coco Gauff competing in her first Olympics. She’s just been announced as the US flag bearer as well. It’s incredible, isn’t it? It’s an amazing feat for her. She’s going to go on in leaps and bounds in the atmosphere of her first Olympics. She’s a grand slam champion and a Roland Garros finalist, so she’s no stranger to playing on that centre court and playing in the big moments in Paris.
Walking out, leading the huge American team is great for Coco and the women’s game, too. Leading the American team with LeBron James – it’s pretty powerful.
As for the Australians, I know Alex de Minaur will be doing everything he can to fight for his country after his heartbreak at Wimbledon. It’s great to see him back on court training. Going back to the clay of Roland Garros is very physical, so he must have a lot of trust in his body.
When Alex is playing with Australia on his back, when he’s playing in the green and gold, he does some really special things. It’s an exciting first Olympics for him, and I think it’s an opportunity that he will cherish and absolutely thrive in.
But I won’t just be watching the tennis. I could rattle off the names of 1000 athletes that I love to watch. One, for me, is Australia’s Jess Fox, who will carry the flag for Australia with hockey player Eddie Ockenden. I love watching Jess compete – I love her attitude, I love her enthusiasm. Her smile is infectious. For her and Eddie to be the flag bearers for Australia is fantastic.
I’ll also be keeping tabs on my friend, surfer Molly Picklum. I love watching Pickles surf, she’s brilliant at what she does. Molly’s surfing is certainly suited to the powerful Tahiti wave. She’s the type of person who loves a big occasion, who loves a big stage, and to have this opportunity to represent Australia, I think she’s just going to thrive and flourish.
Sit back and enjoy. Wishing the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams all the very best for the weeks ahead.
Ash Barty will appear as a tennis expert on Stan Sport’s daily Olympics shows.
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