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Barty planning full 2021 schedule: coach

3 minute read

World No.1 Ash Barty is planning to play a full schedule in 2021 after sitting out most of last year because of the global pandemic.

ASHLEIGH BARTY of Australia.
ASHLEIGH BARTY of Australia. Picture: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Ash Barty's coach has revealed the world No.1 is planning a full playing schedule in 2021 that includes the Tokyo Olympics.

After sitting out most of 2020, Barty last month said she'd continue prioritising her own health and that of coach Craig Tyzzer during the COVID-19 pandemic, casting doubt over the superstar's calendar beyond the Australian Open.

But Tyzzer on Tuesday said Barty was preparing to be away from home until potentially Christmas.

"We're planning on going to the Middle East. We've entered Doha, Dubai and Miami. We'll head off to those tournaments," he said ahead of Barty's Open quarter-final against Czech Karolina Muchova on Wednesday.

"Because of the quarantine arrangements here (in Australia), we won't come back for a while. We'll be away for a while if we go."

Barty opted out of her French Open title defence last year, but is considering setting up camp in Europe after the American hardcourt swing.

"We're hoping that we'll set up some sort of base somewhere probably in Europe where we can at least switch off and relax and spend some time away from tennis, maybe a bit of golf for Ash," Tyzzer said.

"We're yet to finalise anything in that regard. But we're planning on being away for a while."

The Olympics are also a big part of Barty's plans.

"She's down to play. She's pretty keen to play," Tyzzer said.

"We're hoping for her that that goes ahead. She's very excited."

Barty had almost 12 months off professional tennis before making a stunning comeback this month to win her ninth career title at the Yarra Valley Classic at Melbourne Park.

Tyzzer said the 24-year-old's hiatus had been great for her career and that he was still able to coach her from Melbourne her during her spell in Brisbane.

"It was an ideal opportunity to take a break after a long year in 2019, early 2020. So she probably only hit three to four times a week," he said.

"I was able to actually watch her sessions from Melbourne through the camera set-up they have in Brisbane.

"I could hear what was going on and everything, but I just had to ring her on the phone if there was anything I wanted her to do, work on anything, I could contact her during those sessions and say, 'work on this, try this'.

"We started then, but then we had an early pre-season. We started in October. It's gone for a while, it's probably the longest pre-season we've ever had."

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