It can go so fast: A little over 15 months ago, when Ashleigh Barty had just won the Australian Open for the first time, it was thought that the Australian's reign would last for a long time. Until she suddenly announced her retirement, with a total of three major titles on the credit side. Good for Barty, bad for the tennis circus, which could use a fine spirit like Barty alongside all the power hitters like Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

A comeback is out of the question, Ashleigh Barty is currently pregnant with her first child. And also busy off the pitch, not least with a promotional tour for her autobiography.

Barty has now given a little insight into her inner life to the English daily newspaper The Guardian. "What I probably miss the most is the tension of the fight with Tyzz (coach Craig Tyzzer ed.) when we sat down together and figured out a way to completely tear my next opponent apart. What I loved the most: The tactical side of the game. And that I was able to make my opponent uncomfortable on the pitch with my skills.” She hasn't lost contact with her team, Barty continues, it's just that it's not as intense as it used to be.

Barty in contact with Halep

Barty is currently helping young players get better with ex-coach Tyzzer and Jason Stoltenberg. "I think as an athlete you get pretty selfish and self-centered," Barty said. "It's been really nice working with them over the last 12 months." The methods of Tyzzer, Stoltenberg and her would differ, but the common goal would not.

Ash Barty misses one thing in particular from her ex-colleagues: Simona Halep. “I love and respect Simo. I've spoken to her a bit over the past year just to see how she's doing. She is an extraordinary person. I really hope she can explain her side. Because there are always two sides to a story.”