MELBOURNE – Australia’s world number one Ash Barty was delighted to return to competing again after 11 months on Friday although her comeback in Adelaide ended on a losing note against Simona Halep of Romania.
The 24-year-old skipped the U.S. Open and also decided not to defend her title at Roland Garros and had not played a competitive match since last February, opting to stay at home amid health concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to be back. I’ve genuinely missed this so much,” Barty said in an on-court interview after a narrow 3-6 6-1 (10-8) defeat by world number two Halep in an exhibition event in Adelaide.
“I have been getting a little bi…
Keep on reading: Top-ranked Barty thrilled to be back playing again