Barty joins Williams, Osaka, Halep at A Day at the Drive in Adelaide

World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty will compete at the A Day at the Drive event at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre in Adelaide on Friday, January 29.

Barty is still the top-ranked WTA player despite playing only four tournaments in 2020, winning the title in Adelaide and losing in the semis at the Australian Open and Doha.

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Staying at home in Australia since March, Ashleigh missed the second part of the season following the restart, working on the practice court and preparing for a fresh start in 2021. Ashleigh will hit the court again next Friday in Adelaide, entering the exhibition event that features Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Jannik Sinner, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep.

"I am looking forward to playing my first match for the 2021 season in Adelaide. I have fond memories from the Adelaide International last year, and it will be great to get back on the court here for A Day at the Drive," Ashleigh Barty said.

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"Having Ash Barty return to Adelaide, and to where she had such a great tournament last year, is a massive win for South Australian tennis fans. She's everything we love in a champion - and I'm sure when she plays at Memorial Drive next week, the crowd is going to welcome her with open arms. It will be a day to remember," South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said.

"As if this event wasn't good enough already, we're now welcoming world No.1 Ash Barty back to Adelaide. It was fantastic to see her take out the inaugural Adelaide International last year and become the first woman in nine years to win a title on home soil. We can't wait to see her back in action at Memorial Drive next week," South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard said.

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"We are thrilled to welcome Ash and Jannik as our final two players for A Day at the Drive. To see a field of this caliber is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we look forward to the South Australian public joining us for this exceptional event," Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey.