Barty on protégé Gadecki anti-vax Australian Open drama: "I’m proud that she’s made her decision for her reasons"

World No.1 Ash Barty has thrown her support behind teenage prodigy Olivia Gadecki for choosing to decline an opportunity for a Australian Open wildcard.

Gadecki had a break out year in 2021 and was all set for a homecoming in January but due to the vaccine mandate, she has decided against having the vaccination required to play.

“I’ve spoken to her a little bit, but she’s an adult and she has her own career and she makes her own decisions,” Barty said to The Courier Mail.

“That’s something I’ve said to her a lot of the time. For me, I’ve grown up and made my own decisions that I’m accountable for and she‘s done the exact same thing.

“So I’m not in a position where I’m going to try and sway her or do anything, in a sense, to change her mind.

“I’m here as a friend, to support her and love her and whenever I see Liv, I try and catch up with her and we chat through everything, not just tennis."

“Life is not all about money. In fact, that’s very low down on anyone’s priority list,” Barty added. “So I think for Liv it’s time for her to reconnect with her family and the ones that she loved the most.

“It’s the decision that she’s made. I continue to chat to her and my opinion of her changes not at all. I’m proud that she’s made her decision for her reasons – for her right reasons – and that’s all you can do – is make the right decision for you”.