Cotchin reveals secret to Barty successGILBERT GARDINER,
Herald Sun
20 Jan 2019CRICKET and coffee, a spot of golf when the hectic schedule permits, and everything stops for her beloved Richmond Tigers.
Ashleigh Barty is everything that is good about the next generation of Australian sports stars — any code.
The laidback Queenslander will meet former world No.1 Maria Sharapova on Sunday at Melbourne Park, having perfected the balance between private and public life over the past 18 months, and in doing so rocketed up the rankings.
Barty’s demeanour in game mode couldn’t be further from her character off the court.
After making light work of emerging Greek player Maria Sakkari in the third round, Barty powered through post-game commitments in order to get back to the hotel in time to watch Australia’s one-day international against India at the MCG on Friday night.
Sharapova’s duel with defending champion Caroline Wozniacki mattered not for the proud indigenous star, who rose through the ranks in Queensland and landed on the circuit a cherub-faced 15 year-old.
“Just stick with the cricket,” Barty, 22, quipped after being asked if she planned to keep tabs on Sharapova’s progress.
Balance for Barty, whose love and passion for tennis waned before a one-year cameo playing women’s Big Bash with Brisbane Heat reignited the flame, has powered the 15th seed’s rankings climb.
Her relationship with golfer Garry Kissick led to lessons and regular rounds at Brisbane’s pristine Brookwater Golf & Country Club, while coffee — in the afternoon preferably — is life.
With regular coach Craig Tyzzer struck down by illness, Barty’s entourage at Melbourne Park this campaign has included stand-in coach and Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik and her childhood mentor Jim Joyce.
“Jim has been a massive part of my tennis throughout my whole career,” Barty said.
“He can read me like a book out on the court. He can predict what’s going to happen more times than not. He knows exactly what’s going on.”
The Richmond tragic, known to stream games live at odd hours from overseas, connected first with ex-Tigers high performance manager Matt Hornsby - to bolster her on-court fitness - before winning the 2011 Junior Wimbledon title.
It led to several Tigers including premiership captain Trent Cotchin taking an interest in tennis and her matches.
“She’s a very mature 22-year-old, super humble, and her family is a great group of people,” Cotchin, a semi-regular guest in Barty players’ box, said today.
“The thing that’s been noticeable from my point of view is that she’s just very focused on what she can control, and when you’re in a place like that it gives you a good opportunity to play well in games.
“I love it (Barty watching cricket over tennis), I think that’s the beauty of where Ash is at, she knows what works for her, she’s comfortable with knowing exactly that, coffee as well, we all love coffee.”
Brisbane Heat all-rounder Jessica Jonassen hailed Barty’s drive and commitment.
“She was always saying, when she was playing cricket, that she would want to play tennis again,” Jonassen said.
“She said that as soon as she would go back that she was confident that she could be in the top 20 by the end of two years and she’s proved that.
“That’s by no means arrogance, just simple hard work, drive and dedication.”
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/ash-barty-relaxed-off-the-court-focused-on-it-as-she-rockets-up-rankings/news-story/5f6525777cacba6c20878f71558a6744
