I have not seen an author so popular that they have both filled a literary lunch and dinner on the same day.
The reason for this was that Australia’s sweetheart Ash Barty has written a memoir entitled MY DREAM TIME.
The reason for this is that chapter in her life to do with her professional tennis career ha ended and at the age of 26 she wanted to convey her memories while they were still fresh..
She was capably interviewed by her close friend and long time doubles partner Casey Dellacqua. In fact, their rapport was so intimate, and their friendship so warm, you felt like you were being allowed to eavesdrop on two friends catching up for a chat.
Casey noted that unlike many sport memoirs which start at the high point of their career, Ash’s book started at a low point in her career when in 2014 Ash felt the need to take a break from tennis. She explained that many people were puzzled by this decision and that she could clear the air in relation to the low point of how she felt not only the gruelling timetable of the pro circuit but also she did not like herself as a person.
During that time she participated in the Cricket Big Bash League playing some games for the Brisbane Heat and discovered, after a while, that she missed tennis and wanted to reenter with a ranking outside the top 100.
On a personal note Casey aged 24 was beaten by Ash who was only 13. Casey said, “She was really pissed but it formed the basis of a strong bond that facilitated their doubles success. Casey also felt that despite the fact that she and Ash won many tournaments together, they never won a grand slam.
Ash outlined her climb from a ranking outside the top 100 to number one and paid tribute to a number of people. Naturally she credited her parents and in particular her father who was a pro golfer and everyone has seen her holding a tennis racquet at age 3.
She also felt beholden to her first coach Jim Joyce who ran a children’s competition at the Brisbane tennis club. He steered her from court 5 through to court 2 which hosted potential champions. She lamented the fact that her original stomping ground had been bulldozed.
The next stage in her development was at the Australian Tennis Academy where she came under the coaching influence of Jason Stoltenberg.
Her career soared when she was coached by Craig Tyzzer who guided her from her exile from tennis to her becoming number one in the world. He also stood alongside her when she announced her retirement.
Shortly after her victory at the French Open Barty was requested to have a hit up with Naomi Osaka between the French and Wimbledon grand slams. As a result of this friendly tennis match Ash suffered a ten centimetre tear in the abductor muscle in her arm. Her entry into Wimbledon was looking precarious and just before the tournament was about to begin she asked her medico if the tear had improved. The Doctor said it had.
After her triumph at Wimbledon the Doctor said that the tear had only improved from 10 centimetres to 9 centimetres making her win all the more remarkable.
After her discussion with Casey, she presented a slideshow with highlights from her career and one of her favourite is a picture of herself, Jason Stoltenberg, Jim Joyce and Craig Tyzzer..
After the Australian Open she began to plot her path to retirement.
She was also asked who her favourite opponents were and she nominated Petra Kvitova and Simona Halep.
Photos and article by Ben Apfelbaum
