World No.1 Ashleigh Barty looks unstoppable at the Australian Open this year. Barty sailed through to the third round without much difficulty and will now meet Camila Giorgi on Friday. Barty played her second-round match at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday when the tournament celebrated the First Nations Peoples day.

Ashleigh Barty feels fortunate to play on Australian Open’s First Nations day

On being asked about her feeling on taking the court on a special day for Australia, Barty said, “It was nice for me to be a part of it in a way that I feel most comfortable, I suppose. It’s out in the tennis court is how I express myself as an athlete. It’s how I’m able to express myself as a person as well and on a day that we are brining culture together, we are brining people together, it was really nice for me to go out there and enjoy that.”

Barty also met some children from various parts of Australia on the special occasion and considered herself fortunate to be able to play and win the match. Barty previously talked about her proud indigenous heritage after her first round win at the tournament.

Barty explains the reason behind her red sneakers this year in Melbourne

During the same press conference, the attention shifted to Barty’s red sneakers designed by Fila for this year’s ‘Happy Slam’. The design was initially considered to be an indirect nod to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from the ‘Wizard of Oz’. Responding to the same, the Australian star said that the reason behind her red shoes was a very simple one.

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“Jeez, clutching at the straws, aren’t you guys. No, I mean, red shoes go faster right, that’s the whole thing behind it. But, I was excited. I love the outfit that I’m in in Fila this year. The red shoes are cool. Not often am I the one to wear bright shoes. But, no they’re pretty cool this year.” 

As the tournament moves to the second week, all eyes will be on Ash Barty as she is yet to reach an Australian Open final and fans will hope to see her win the ‘Happy Slam’ this year.

Also read: ‘She Is the Champ’: Nick Kyrgios on Emma Raducanu Winning Her Round 1 Match at Australian Open 2022