MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 29, 2021

Ashleigh Barty

Press Conference

A. BARTY/S. Rogers

6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. This is the fourth time you played Shelby Rogers. You've beaten her each time. Was today any different?

ASHLEIGH BARTY: Each one is different. Each one presents different challenges, different conditions. The rate that we're going, we'll play every month this year, just make it a tradition. We play each other once a month.

Every time you step out on the court against Shelby, you really need to be switched on, play your very best because she has the ability to take the match away from you very quickly.

It was important for me to start well, across the whole match. It was always going to be a big factor.

Q. How was the atmosphere on court? Did it feel different?

ASHLEIGH BARTY: Yeah, it was really nice to have a few voices in the crowd. It sounded like a lot more than there were. I think they were certainly enjoying themselves.

It's a beautiful court, beautiful center court here. I was a bit bummed the whether was a bit dodgey. I was looking forward to some sunshine and getting outdoors. But we're indoors again. As soon as we finished, they opened them up. I was a little bit bummed about that.

It's certainly nice to be back here playing in a different surface. It's a completely new slate, clean slate for me.

Q. You had some strapping on your right shoulder. I wondered if it's just precautionary, if that's going to impact on your future schedule leading into Roland Garros?

ASHLEIGH BARTY: I'm an old body now, mate. Old and got to look after myself (smiling).

No, just a little bit of support. A bit of WD-40 and we're fine, we're all good.

Q. It won't make any difference in terms of whether you play Rome or going forward?

ASHLEIGH BARTY: No, no. Our schedule won't change.

Q. Any thoughts on your next round? I believe you're going to be playing Tamara Zidansek.

ASHLEIGH BARTY: Yeah, don't know much about her to be completely honest. I think we may have come across each other once on the doubles court. I'm not certain of that. Don't hold that against me.

No, I think it's a match that I'll have to look at. Genuinely I'll have to sit down with Tyz and work out how we think we can tactically work in a game plan that will kind of suit my structure and my game a bit.

Q. We had the Wimbledon spring press conference this week. They were just detailing the fact there's still going to be a bubble for players. Even though there's potentially a situation where hopefully in Britain outside the gates of Wimbledon people will be able to mingle almost normally. I imagine it will be a strange situation, an awkward one.

ASHLEIGH BARTY: It will be strange, without a doubt. But to be a little bit strange, to still be able to play Wimbledon, is certainly my preference. It would be a shame to not be able to play that incredible tournament.

I think as players, but certainly from my point of view, we do the right thing, we do what we have to do to enjoy the fact we get to play at Wimbledon. Hopefully then people are able to enjoy it with us. There may be some crowds. Again, I haven't heard of what the plan of kind of easing of restrictions are there, so I'm not sure what the plan is.

Yeah, we're still a couple months way yet. Hopefully in the UK things can settle down, and some sort of normality outside would be brilliant for everyone.

Q. You have family in the north of England. It would be a shame to not be able to see them in person, after making the journey, a long trip for you.

ASHLEIGH BARTY: Yeah, typically we see them at Nottingham. They're not far from there. Won't be playing in Nottingham this year unfortunately. I'm sure if they get an opportunity to come down south, they'll be there in a heartbeat.