By Richard Pagliaro
Ashleigh Barty's Roland Garros title defense is over before it began.
The world No. 1 announced today she will skip the European clay-court season. Barty is opting out of both Rome and Paris, where she captured her maiden major last year.
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Barty, who has not played since bowing to Petra Kvitova in the Doha semifinals last February, cited two primary reasons for pulling out: the health risk posed by the Coronavirus pandemic and the fact she has not been able to train with her coach, Craig Tyzzer.
"It has been a difficult decision to make, but unfortunately I will not be competing in Europe this year," Barty announced in an Instagram post. "Last year’s French Open was the most special tournament of my career so this is not a decision I have made lightly.
"There are two reasons for my decision. The first is the health risks that still exist with Covid. The second is my preparation, which has not been ideal without my coach being able to train with me due to the state border closures in Australia."
The Roland Garros main draw will be played from Sunday, September 27th through Sunday, October 11th.
A year ago, a brilliant Barty tomahawked a smash putting a powerful exclamation point on a dynamic 6-1, 6-3, dismissal of Marketa Vondrousova to capture her first career Grand Slam championship in style.
"It's unbelievable; I'm a little bit speechless," Barty said after winning Roland Garros. "I played the perfect match today. I'm so proud of myself and my team. It's just been a crazy two weeks."
The eighth-seeded Barty became the first Aussie to win Roland Garros in 46 years since Hall of Famer Margaret Court beat Chrissie Evert to take the 1973 title. Hall of Famer Evert handed the trophy to Barty, who reveled on her "mind-boggling" journey from world No. 623 on June 6th, 2016 to Grand Slam champion.
Photo credit: Getty