'Better than the English': Ash Barty stuns with cheeky dig at rivals
World No.1 Ash Barty was in good spirits after her Third Round performance at Wimbledon and she even took a dig at the English, ahead of their Euro 2020 clash.
England is a buzz with sport right now with the nation deep into the Euro 2020 tournament, while Wimbledon is about to enter its second week.
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The World No.1 took to the court in the afternoon, on Centre Court, only a couple of hours before England were set to take on Ukraine in their quarter-final match up.
Barty put in her best display on grass this season when she outplayed the potentially dangerous Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday.
But only moments after the match, England were due to kick-off against Ukraine.
Following her match, during her on-court interview, Barty couldn't help but take a cheeky swipe at her English rivals.
When asked on how she enjoyed the support from the Australians in the crowd, Barty said it was much better than the support from the English.
"Better than the English telling me the football's on!" she joked.
Barty was referring to the match fast-approaching.
Fans couldn't help but share a laugh with Barty over the sly dig.
Barty is asked how it feels to have Aussie fans cheering her on.
Barty: 'Better than the English telling me the football's on!'
Only Ash Barty could tell a crowd in England that football is boring & still get cheered. (I mean, the ppl on Centre presumably agree but still.) pic.twitter.com/aNNYbG0R3r— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 3, 2021
Also @Wimbledon can you put the soundbite of @ashbarty up re how she's not bothered about the f**tball so I can put it on my socials in all its glory.
Thank you again💞— Victoria Wai 📷 (@Victoria__Wai) July 3, 2021
Ash Barty taunted the English for telling her to hurry up and win, cuz the footie match was coming on, by reminding them their football is wimpy to Aussies.
Note: switching channels after that interview meant you missed a goal by maybe 5 seconds.
She timed it PERFECTLY https://t.co/xhNu5W9AJX— Christopher Paulsen (@chrispco) July 3, 2021
@ashbarty’s comments about the football were great! Great to see some real sport on uk tv. Better than the premadonnas known as the English football team @TomLeeder @johnpmillscom 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammond_1) July 3, 2021
Ash Barty into the last sixteen after a 6-3 7-5 win over Katerina Siniakova.
Jokes after that a lot of English people had told her the football was on!#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/eLyv9wTTHm— Delyth Lloyd (@DelythLloyd1) July 3, 2021
BEST ANSWER FROM @ashbarty re f**tball.
Didn't think I could like her more but I think I now love her #Wimbledon #WimbledonThing— Victoria Wai 📷 (@Victoria__Wai) July 3, 2021
Fortunately for the English, the nation put in a masterclass and defeated Ukraine 4-0 to advance to the semi-final.
Ash Barty advances at Wimbledon
Barty, looking more comfortable every match, concedes that Krejcikova presents a problem.
"I have played her plenty of times in the doubles court. Never on the singles court. It's a new experience for both of us, some new challenges that for sure will force some of my best tennis," she said.
"I'm looking forward to that challenge, trying to figure out her game, kind of piece together the puzzle that she presents."
Barty admits she didn't watch too much of Krejcikova's run to the Roland Garros title because she was dealing with her own injury disappointment "and wasn't in a frame of mind to watch any of the matches in Paris."
But a battle between the 2019 and 2021 French Open champions, with their games full of variety and intelligence, should be a treat for tennis connoisseurs.
"If it's easy on the eyes, then that's nice. But if it's not, it won't bother me in the slightest," reckons Barty.
So, she's happy to win ugly?
"A win's a win they always say, right?" she said, with a smile.
with AAP
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