This archive report was first published on 13 January 2020.
On the eve of the Australian Open, world number one Ashleigh Barty has emphasized the importance of hard work and preparation over her ranking.
Speaking in Adelaide, where she arrived for her final Australian Open warm-up, Barty said she will not be stressing about holding onto the number one ranking, insisting it does not matter where she stands.
"Having a number next to your name doesn't guarantee anything. You have to go and do the work and try to do best in every match," she said.
Barty, who will begin in the second round at Memorial Drive after a bye, takes on Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the next round.
She said the dry Adelaide heat would be a contrast to the humidity of sub-tropical Brisbane and good preparation for Melbourne Park next week.
