Ashleigh Barty to play first international tournament in over a year

World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty has arrived in Miami and is set to compete in her first international tournament in more than a year. She was initially scheduled to return in Doha and Dubai earlier this month, but withdrew from both events with a leg injury.

The 24-year-old Australian played the Australian Open and two WTA tournaments in the continent at the beginning of the season, but has not left her home country since last February, when she played in Doha just before competition was suspended for more than five months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Barty's trip to Miami took more than 48 hours, indicating that disruptions were ongoing.

"It was certainly bizarre leaving Australia, we had quite a lengthy trip. We had a couple of flight cancellations," she told press from Miami.

"So it was certainly not the easiest, but just nice to be back here competing."

Barty cited safety concerns and Australia's strict entry restrictions as why she had chose not to compete internationally, which included not defending her title at Roland Garros. In Miami this week, she said she is happy with the WTA's protocols to start what should be a long stretch of tournament play.

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"We’re extremely excited to be back playing and have the opportunity to come here and feel like we’re in a very safe environment, to be able to play and to be able to enjoy what we do," said Barty.

"As we know, everything can still change so rapidly. But we're planning as best we can and preparing for some changes."

Barty is 8-2 so far this season, and reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, where she lost to Karolina Muchova. She's looking to extend that form as she gets used to playing regularly again.

"It’s an adventure for us," said Barty. "When leaving Australia it was quite hard to leave and quite emotional to leave, but I think we’re excited to have the opportunity to play the whole season."

And Miami, where she is the defending champion and top seed, isn't a bad place to start.

"I think this week for me a couple years ago was one of the best of my career," said Barty.