‘Always a pleasure’ – Multi-Slam champs share Australian Open court
Two multiple Major winners enjoyed a practice session together on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the upcoming Australian Open.
The new WTA season is just around the corner, kicking off with the Adelaide International and the Melbourne Summer Set.
The latter of the two will get underway on 4th January at Melbourne Park, the same venue that hosts the Australian Open each year.
Ahead of that WTA event, two-time Slam champions Simona Halep and Ashleigh Barty shared a hitting session together on Rod Laver Arena.
“Always a pleasure to share the court with you Ashleigh Barty,” Halep captioned an image on twitter alongside Barty and their respective coaching teams.
“Especially on Rod Laver Arena,” the Romanian added.
Halep is gearing up to play the Melbourne Summer Set, while Barty will actually be competing in the Adelaide International commencing 3rd January.
Both women will be hoping to do well at the 2022 Australian Open. Each has a Wimbledon and Roland Garros title to their name.
Halep had her best Australian Open showing to date at the 2018 event, losing in the final to Caroline Wozniacki, while Barty’s best so far has been reaching the semi-final in 2020 before losing to eventual champion Sofia Kenin.
Always a pleasure to share the court with you @ashbarty … and especially on @RodLaverArena ❤️??#ausopen pic.twitter.com/sfSIP2WOo7
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) December 30, 2021
The duo have faced each other four times over their careers, with Halep winning three of those four meetings.
All four came in 2018 and 2019, with the three Halep wins all coming at WTA 1000 level at the 2018 Canadian Open, 2018 Cincinnati Open and 2019 Madrid Open in that order.
Barty claimed her single victory over Halep at the 2019 Sydney International in the second round.
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