14 May 2014 | Tennis Queensland

Rising star Ashleigh Barty (Qld) has been assured a spot in the French Open main draw, after the announcement she, along with Canberra’s Nick Kyrgios, will be given wildcards into the event commencing in Paris on Sunday 25 May.

After celebrating her 18^th birthday last month Ashleigh Barty will enter the French Open eligible to compete unrestricted on the WTA tour for the first time.

With a world ranking of 182, Barty’s focus for the year so far has been to contest the qualifying rounds of high-level ITF events.

In February she joined the Australian Fed Cup team in Hobart, winning the doubles rubber against Russia to help the Aussie side to victory. She was then named in the team to take on Germany in last month’s semifinal tie, teaming with Casey Dellacqua to win the doubles rubber against a powerhouse German pair.

Barty will head to her third French Open looking to build on her maiden Grand Slam victory in Round 1 of the tournament last year.

“It’s really exciting to be awarded a wildcard into the French Open,” she said.

“I’ve obviously played at Roland Garros a few times now, including when I was a junior, so I’m familiar with the site and there’s just no better clay than at Roland Garros. It’s pretty special when you get there.

“I’ll give it a real go, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ve just got to go out there, keep my chin up and see how I go on the day.”

Photo courtesy of Courier Mail 2013