Olivia Gadecki: Ashleigh Barty treats me like a normal person

Australian teenage sensation Olivia Gadecki says Ashleigh Barty treats her “like a normal person” and admits she is fortunate to have someone like Barty in her corner.

Gadecki, 20, has been mentored by Barty for a couple of years now.

But now Gadecki is set to have Barty in her players’ box during the Australian Open.

Barty, a former three-time Grand Slam champion, certainly knows extremely well what it takes to win on the biggest stage.

ā€œIā€™ve been really fortunate to always be able to contact her if I have any questions or if I need advice, she has always been there for me. The best part is she just treats me like a normal person, and we can relate in that regard and off court is just as important as on court,” Gadecki told AAP, as revealed on Tennis Australia.

Gadecki hoping for a great result with Barty in her corner

Gadecki’s first Australian Open appearance as a pro came in 2021, when she tried to make the main draw through the qualifying event.

Unfortunately for Gadecki, she didn’t manage to win make it past the Australian Open qualifying event in 2021.

Back then, Gadecki won her qualifying first round match before losing in the qualifying second round.

12 months ago, Gadecki was given a main draw wildcard into the Australian Open.

But Gadecki refused to take the COVID vaccine and she wasn’t allowed to compete at the Australian Open.

Now, there are no COVID restrictions at the Australian Open and Gadecki is set to make her main draw debut at the Australian Open.

In the Australian Open first round, Gadecki is set to meet Polina Kudermetova.

When Gadecki and Kudermetova meet, that will be their first-ever meeting.

Gadecki is ranked at No 200 in the world, while Kudermetova sits at No 182 in the world.

Gadecki will certainly like her chances against Kudermetova as she will definitely be motivated to do extremely well while Barty is sitting in her corner.