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2021 French Open – Roland Garros
Qualifying rounds: 24-28 May 2021
Main draw: 30 May-13 June 2021
Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France
Ashleigh Barty will go in search of a second career Grand Slam title when she participates in the
French Open at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, with the main draw tournament set to run from Sunday 30 May to Sunday 13 June 2021.
Barty is the current WTA number one ranked player, though she comes into the French Open under something of an injury cloud after retiring in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open in Rome with an arm issue.
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“It became worse while we were playing,” said Barty, who called it quits despite being a set and 2-1 up against Coco Gauff. “So I think that’s the challenging thing is to make the decision to stop. It’s never nice. It’s the thing that I hate the most is not being able to finish a tennis match.
“But the pain was becoming too severe, so it was important that I listen to my body and of course try and do the right thing, knowing that we have a Grand Slam in two weeks’ time. I hate withdrawing. I hate pulling out of a match halfway through. It’s not in my make up, not what I like to do, but it was really important today that I listen to what my body was telling me to make sure that in a couple weeks’ time we’re good to go.”
Barty is a past winner of the French Open, claiming the title in 2019 when she defeated Marketa Vondrousova in the final. The 25-year-old was absent from the 2020 edition, so she will feel that she remains an undefeated champion at Roland Garros.
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She has also been in brilliant form in 2021, winning the Yarra Valley Classic, Miami Open and Stuttgart Open – with the last triumph coming on clay to underline her status as one of the favourites for the French Open. Barty, though, will be wary of the threat posed by reigning Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek, as well as the likes of Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Sofia Kenin, Elina Svitolina and Serena Williams.
Ashleigh Barty: French Open record
Appearances: 6
Win-loss record: 9-5
Best result: Champion (1 – 2019)
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