'It's Ash Barty, who's this?': World no.1's hilarious press conference
World no.1 Ash Barty flexed her star power at a press conference promoting this week’s Adelaide International, answering the phone of a journalist who had left their device on the lectern to record the interview.
Barty had settled in alongside her coach, Craig Tyzzer, when the phone began to buzz.
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As the guilty journalist asked Barty to put the phone on silent, the French Open champion instead decided to answer the call - only to be left shocked when the caller hung up on her.
“Does anyone know a Kez, it’s got a grandma emoji?” Barty asked the press pack as the phone rang.
“Hey Kez. You still there? Hello. Who are you trying to reach?
“It’s Ash Barty, who’s this?
Hello... it's me.@ashbarty has an unexpected phone call with Kez 👵...#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/zgZKanJ0WJ
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 13, 2020
“He left his phone on during a press conference.”
Barty has never been shy about enjoying herself during press conferences, after fans with their ears to the ground noticed she was peppering some of her answers with references to various Disney films at one point in 2019.
A second plot twist emerged later on when the identity of ‘Kez’ was revealed to be Carlton AFLW captain Kerryn Harrington.
2 things happened today, scored myself an MCC membership and was star struck by @ashbarty and hung up. If only I asked her to play for @carltonfc_w instead... #stitchup https://t.co/u3A8E7H8nU
— kerryn harrington (@kez_harrington) January 13, 2020
Unfortunately for the Blues, they might have missed their chance to recruit the tennis ace to the club for the upcoming season.
Having been complimented by men’s champion Roger Federer earlier in the day, once the press conference was underway Barty took the opportunity to respond to the Swiss maestro’s words of encouragement.
Barty said she was looking to take a leaf out of Federer’s book in her hopes of remaining at the top of her game.
“Roger’s done a pretty good job of it over an extended period,” she said.
“He’s the best of the best and has been in that position for a long time, but I don’t think necessarily that he changes whether it’s 1, 2, 3 or 10 next to his name.
“I think for me and my team, we’re trying to take that same approach.”