Ashleigh Barty

The support we get in Australia is phenomenal.

I think everyone needs to take a few breaks.

I just want to be the best I can and create my own style of game.

There are not a lot of people in the world that get to say they get to walk through the gates of Wimbledon and play on Centre Court. It's pretty phenomenal, and we're very lucky to live this life that we do.

I'm driven to win every single match.

It is tough when you're by yourself, and I think that's why team sport is so appealing.

When I'm relaxed, I play my best tennis.

I've become more mature on and off the court, and I've learned how to deal with some of those big occasions much better.

It would be awesome to play in my backyard.

There are a lot of hours and a lot of sacrifices you have to make to achieve your dreams as a tennis player.

I think the only expectation is that I put on myself to do everything right and to put myself in a position to perform as best that I can.

I certainly fear no one, and I know I can go out there and match up with the world's best.

Any time you can go out and compete is better than getting on a practice court.

There has to be a very good balance between being aggressive and then being able to defend as well.

Australians are hungry for sport. They love it. They're addicted to it.

Any time you enter a tournament before a slam, there's always the possibility you'll be arriving late. It's a very good problem to have.

It's nice to know that whoever I walk out on court against, I feel comfortable.

I want to prove I'm a top-15 player, possibly top 10.

The cricket team has been great. There's never a lonesome moment. If you are struggling, there are 10 girls who can help you out and get you through the tough times. We can enjoy the ups and downs together.

You never approach any prof or semi-professional sport as a hit and giggle.

Cricket is semi-pro for women in Australia, but the girls work damn hard, and it's credit to them to try and grow the sport.

I've always wanted to be my own player from the start and do things a bit differently to what the others do. I want to play my own way.

I don't watch much tennis, never really have.

It's the older girls I seem to get on with. I think it's just because they kind of respect me as a player, I suppose.

It's exciting when there is any growth in women's sport.

I love the sport of tennis, but I sort of got a little bit away from what I really wanted to do. It became robotic for me, and that's not what I wanted. It's such an amazing sport, and I just really wanted to enjoy it, and I lost that enjoyment and that passion.

I'm certainly not the tallest girl on the tour, so I know that I have to sort of try and match the girls in the way. I know, for me, it's trying to be super aggressive, especially off the first ball in the rally.

That's the ultimate goal - to try to go deep into the Australian Open and deep into the other slams throughout the year.

I think women's tennis is so open. Anyone in the top 30 can do damage in the big tournaments.

I was very fortunate to have a coach when I was young who taught me all the traditional shots and taught me a pretty traditional game style, in a way.

I had never played a team sport when I was younger.

Tennis has been a part of my life since I was five years old.

You love the competitive one-on-one aspect, where you look across the net, and you're trying to beat your opponent. You're doing everything you physically can to win on that day.

One of the best sayings in tennis and sport is that pressure is a privilege.

I have just gotten to know my body well enough now to know when I need a little bit of help.

When I can control the ball off the first shot after serve and return, especially with my forehand, that's when I'm in control most matches.

It's the best feeling ever: the adrenalin, the extra boost, the support you get from the very passionate Australian Open crowd is amazing.

My heritage is really important to me. I've always had that olive complexion and the squished nose, and I just think it's important to do the best I can to be a good role model.

The most confronting thing you can do is talk about your feelings and open yourself up.

You obviously have a different perspective on life when you're 20 compared to when you're 16.

I just think it's great in cricket to come into a team environment. It's the first time I've ever experienced it.

Every single match, win, lose or draw, there's something that we can improve on, and it's about us addressing that straight after the match.

There is nothing else can get you ready for matches than matches.

You always learn a lot more when you lose.

Whether I'd stopped playing professionally at 17 - or if I stop at 35 - tennis will always be a part of my life.

I don't normally get too excited. I just - yeah, I just try and keep it pretty simple, and that's just my personality, really.

Obviously, it's nice when you're having success, but this isn't going to last forever. There are going to be rough times as well, but you've just got to ride those.

I went from not being known anywhere in the world to winning junior Wimbledon and six months later playing the Australian Open. I was a victim of my own success, really.

It's never over until we're shaking hands at the net. Then you've either won or you've lost, and - either way - you look them in the eye and say, 'Well played, mate.'

My Indigenous heritage is something I hold close to my heart.