"Confidence comes from practice" - Barty ready to rumble in Stuttgart

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty makes her return to red clay this week at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, as the Australian looks to capture her third WTA title of the season.

The 2019 Roland Garros champion last competed on European clay in Paris, where she won her maiden Grand Slam title. After sitting out most of the shortened 2020 season, Barty seems ready to pick up where she left off. After defending her Miami Open title two weeks ago and then losing in the quarterfinals of the Volvo Open, the Aussie's form came into question.

"It’s always a funny question talking about form, I think," Barty said. "Often, from the outside, it’s judged on results which a lot of the time can be inaccurate. There have been times throughout my career where I have felt like I am in great form but haven’t been winning matches, and vice versa other one’s where I haven’t been able to find anywhere close to the middle of the racket, but you find your way through the matches."

Barty will be making her Stuttgart debut this week, as she revs up preparations for the second Grand Slam of the season.

"I think the confidence comes from the practice and the work you do in preparation and before you play," reflected the Aussie. "I think it’s important not to be completely results-driven when you come to thinking about your form and things like that. I think it’s more just going out there each time you have the opportunity and having a crack and that’s all you can ask."