Fresh from her French Open-clinching run that pushed her to elite-status, Ashleigh Barty is vowing to fight through pain to win her second career grandslam by winning the Wimbledon.
Australia's very own had some time to recover before engaging in work-outs to prepare for her round of 128 clash with Saisai Zheng from China tomorrow, July 2. It was reported that she's confident in her proven formula of resting the weeks before and after grandslam events, especially to help quell her persistent arm injury.
Barty already withdrew from the pre-Wimbledon tournament at Nottingham and but returned to claim her third title of the season in Birmingham to seize the top ranking.
"When I have a heavy week, I have just make sure I am doing the right things to let it settle and build it back up," Barty said. "The French was OK, having the day on day off helps, not having too much of a spike in a row. But we have managed it my whole career. We have played with it through pain and weeks we have to take a step back and manage it properly."
The young 23-year-old is eyeing a spot on the history books. If she comes out successful during Wimbledon, her name will be included in a shortlist of legends who were able to win the French Open and Wimbledon on the same year. Margaret Court (1970), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971), Billie-Jean King (1972), Chris Evert (1974), Martina Navratilova (1982, 1984), Steffi Graf (1988, 1993, 1995, 1996) and Serena Williams (2002, 2015) are the seven others who have completed feat.
Barty's coach Craig Tyzzer is convinced that his charge has the game and temperament to do it.
"We'll do exactly the same process for every match she has to play. If she plays her best tennis on the day, she is well capable of beating anybody. She is not scared of any of the girls."
Fellow Aussie Arina Rodionova was also able to clinch a spot at the qualifiers after an exciting and inspired comeback win over American Danielle Lao.