Winning an Olympic medal would be a dream come true, says Barty
World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty showed she is the player to beat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after claiming her first Wimbledon title at the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday.
In an exclusive interview with the ITF, the 25-year-old admitted she has allowed herself to dream of being on the podium at the Ariake Tennis Park later this month.
“It’s a bit of spine-tingling feeling,” said Barty, “but you have to dare to dream. I think you have to allow yourself to think ‘what if?’ and ‘why not me?’, so that would definitely be a dream come true. But I know that every single person in that draw, every single one competing in an Olympics, has got the same thing.”
The Queenslander is no stranger to representing her country and it seems to bring out the best in her. In the 11 Billie Jean King Cup ties she has contested, she has won 18 and lost just four of her matches.
“I think representing your country is the highest honour,” explained Barty. “For an Aussie, it’s the best thing you can do, and I can’t wait to have an opportunity to wear the green and gold.
“You’re playing for something bigger than yourself, you’re playing to make people proud, and that’s not just with the results, that’s with the attitude. With the Australian spirit that a lot of people talk about, it’s evident when you really see it and all of the athletes in that Olympic team are the very best at bringing that attitude and bringing that spirit.”
And despite the challenges being faced by organisers to put on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Barty is still looking forward to what has been a dream of hers since she was a child.
“My first Olympics? That’s really exciting,” said Barty. “No-one can ever take that away from you. I think it’s going to be different without a doubt, but if anything, it’s going to make it more special, knowing that it was such a challenge to be able to get there. To be able to get there and enjoy it, that’s all that matters.”