Ashleigh Barty has had an impressive run on clay this year but she still does not think of herself as the favourite for the French Open.
Ashleigh Barty has not played on the European red dirt for almost two years prior to last month but he has dominated the season on the dirt so far. It certainly positioned her as one of the favourites for the French Open which she won already in 2019. And Barty was not surprised by the result saying:
"I'd like to think after a couple of years experience playing on it, more matches, playing in different clay, different conditions, I'd love to say I've learned more and been able to kind of hone my craft a bit more on clay."
For Barty the successful run does not make her the favourite for the Grand Slam which she admitted:
"It's going to be exciting to walk on (Court Philippe) Chatrier again and just soak it all in. But in my eyes, I certainly don't go into Paris as the favourite. Not by any means. There are some exceptional clay courters, some of the best that we've ever seen probably across our sport that is playing at the moment.
Barty is currently in Rome continuing her preparation for the Grand Slam but she is not putting any pressure on herself results-wise saying:
"Whether that's a first round, a quarter-final or a final or whatever it is, it's about going out there and doing the best that I can for that match and if the results come, they come. And if they don't, I won't lose any sleep over it."
Barty is unsure where she will spend the week before the Grand Slam but she knows what she will do. Asked about it she simply said:
"We'll just train."