By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 9, 2020

Nine days into the new year, Jennifer Brady is celebrating the new season issuing a statement of identity.

The American qualifier stunned world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty 6-4, 7-6(4) and silenced Aussie fans bursting into the Brisbane quarterfinals with her biggest career win and first victory over a world No. 1.

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Dictating with her serve and heavy topspin forehand, Brady banged four aces, permitted just six points on first serve and did not face a break point in scoring her first Top 10 victory in eight attempts.

"I'm very happy to get the win," she said during her on-court interview. "Ash is obviously a great player and a great person. It's a little bit surreal. I'm super stoked and I'm shaking a little bit, but I really played well today."

In her first match of the season, the top-seeded Barty saved three of four break points and battled with vigor but was often forced to counter Brady's aggression on pivotal points.

"Jen was in control of the match," Barty told the media in Brisbane. "She was in the center of the court being the aggressor and I think you have to give credit where credit's due. Jen is, yes, she came through qualifying, but she's got ranking that's kind of well above, I think, what a lot of people give her credit for."

Though Barty had dropped just nine games sweeping two prior meetings vs. Brady, the world No. 53 practiced with the top seed on Pat Rafter Arena Court earlier this week and carried the confidence from that session on court.

"And I hit with her earlier in the week and we had a great practice session," Barty said. "And yeah, she's made a few changes to her team as well and I think that's brought a better standard for her. She's playing some exceptional tennis, so I certainly can't take that away from her. She played a great match today and deserved to win."



The 24-year-old Brady, who typically trains beneath the bright Florida sun in the offseason, took a dramatic departure from the norm. Working with coach Michael Geserer, Brady spent her offseason training indoors in Germany where she rented an apartment, cooked her own meals, sculpted her body in the gym and strengthened her mind.

"I told myself I want to try something new, do something different, commit to it, and I did and I'm really happy I did," said Brady.

The results have been impressive this week. Brady has scored five wins on the week, including out-dueling former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova in a third-set tie break before toppling Barty.

The mind-body connection is clear: a stronger body has given Brady more confidence and clarity on court.

These days, Brady is "playing to win instead of just playing to hang in there."

"I think just going out there and knowing that I can win [is key]," Brady said. "Believing in myself and having the confidence and game knowing that I am a player who's able to dictate. If I'm able to do that and give myself the best opportunity at winning, win or lose, play within myself and believe in myself I think I'll walk off the court pretty happy.

"The offseason I made a lot of progress on court and off court, spent a lot of time in the gym getting stronger. I have a lot of confidence in my legs and in my strength. I think stepping on court with a different mentality different sort of belief in myself. And just kind of change feel like a different person, better person, fresh. Yeah I feel good."

Brady will try to keep the good times rolling facing her third straight Grand Slam champion in a quarterfinal clash vs. fifth-seeded Petra Kvitova.

"Next step for Jen Brady? Honestly, I haven't really set any results goals, things like that," Brady said. "I think just taking each tournament as is and, yeah, just kind of figuring out myself a bit, figuring out my game, putting everything together, and then, then kind of seeing where I'm at and moving on and progressing from there."