"Serve and confidence" says Kerber about what makes Barty so dominant

Barty is proving herself a very worthy number one in 2021 after many voiced discontent with the Australian holding the number one spot for prolonged periods of time during a pandemic-ridden 2020 season. Angelique Kerber saw that dominance up close twice in the past two months.

Barty proved better than Kerber at Wimbledon and at Cincinnati winning both events in the end. After their Cincinnati match Kerber said:

"You know, I think, yeah, she played well. She starts playing really aggressive, and, yeah, I was just trying to finding my rhythm. You know, I tried to come back in the second set and I had my chances, but, yeah, I think she played really well in important moments and closed the match on her way."

Barty reached six finals in total in 2021 winning five of them. Asked what makes her so dominant Kerber explained:

"You know, I think she has so much confidence right now. She plays so well, and she served good. I think this is also a big weapon from her. You know, she's just playing really like tricky, as well."

She added:

"She knows where to put the ball and how to play in the moments where it's really important. "So I think the whole game of hers is really tough, and, you know, that's why she's there where she is."