PLAY WELL: Ash Barty on mindset, pressure, and playing sport her way

Imagine walking out in front of 15,000 people, taking a deep breath, smiling and thinking: “How cool is this?” That was Ash Barty on centre court… and she still chose to leave while at the top of her game.

Ash shares her insights into what really sits behind those trophies: the brutal Wimbledon loss that sent her back to the drawing board, the conversation with her coach that flipped her mindset, and the “why not me?” question she now shares with kids.

From the West Brisbane Tennis Centre to Grand Slams (via cricket) and back to community sport, she’s seen more than most and truly understands what it is to “play” sport.

It’s Ash Barty being her authentic self; light, fun and keen to remind all of us that playing well is actually about joy, balance and finding your people.

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Sportish podcast is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios.

We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find plenty more resources and information at ausport.gov.au/playwell.

Find out more about how the Ash Barty Foundation is working with communities all across Australia to help encourage access to sport and education. Read more about Ash's children’s picture books here.

This episode was hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett, produced by Luci McAfee with sound design by Melissa May. The Executive Producer is Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is the Production Manager.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation.

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