Ash Barty reflects on her run last year: 2019 was just incredible for my team and I

• Tennis News

World No. 1 Ash Barty says she has been reflecting on how special her 2019 season was during the current lay-off. Barty won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open last year - becoming the first Australian to win the French Open in singles since Margaret Court in 1973 and the first Australian to win a Grand Slam singles title since Sam Stosur at the 2011 US Open.

She also became World No. 1 - the first Australian woman to become the top-ranked player in 43 years - and ended the year as World No. 1. Speaking to AAP, Barty says, "I've had a lot of time to reflect on the last year in particular and how special it was - 2019 was just incredible for my team and I." "I'm keen to get back on the court but health always comes first.

"This is a tough time for so many people in the world. There are more important things than tennis right now. "It's a unique situation so it's tough to compare it to anything. All I can do is keep my fitness up, keep hitting and stay positive.

"I feel fortunate to be in Australia where the restrictions are easing a little and we are able to train again." Barty says she would be interested to see the details of the domestic competition being proposed by Tennis Australia and has also been working on her golf handicap during the lockdown - with the help of her boyfriend - Garry Kissick, who is a golfer.

"There are a lot of details that need to be worked through. I'm interested to see what TA's plans are but I'd have to understand all the details before I make a decision. "We are lucky to be at that point in Australia that we can think about tennis coming back in some form." "(There's been) plenty of golf. We are lucky in Queensland we have still been able to get out on the golf course. My handicap is definitely improving."