A relaxed Mona Barthel radiated happiness as she strolled through Hobart’s picturesque Constitution Docks this morning.
The world No.45 and a three-time WTA Tour title winner from Germany greeted waiting media with a smile, willingly posing for photos and yielding questions from waiting journalists.
“I feel really at home here,” Barthel tells them, explaining her sunny disposition stemmed from a love of Hobart.
“I’m really comfortable, really relaxed. I like the courts and the weather… sometimes – it can be a little bit windy and rainy but I know it from home, so I think the conditions suit me well.”
Arriving in the Apple Isle yesterday, Barthel was the first player on the practice courts this morning.
The Domain Tennis Centre has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the 25-year-old, where she has built an impressive 13-3 win-loss record. She won her first WTA career title here in 2012, defeating four seeded players to become the first qualifier to win the tournament, and was runner-up in 2013.
“I always love to come back here. The first time I played the tournament I won it in 2012, so I have really good memories. I like the place, I love the tournament, I like the people so it is always nice to come here,” Barthel said.
The 2012 Olympian is hoping her fifth visit proves just as successful.
“It’s always a good field here, everybody is here for the Australian Open and everybody is trying to get some good matches in, so it is always tough competition,” she said. “You are always going out there to try your best every day, and see what happens.”
Illness derailed the start of Barthel’s 2016 season, forcing her to retire in her round one match in Auckland.
“If you work really hard in the offseason, you want to compete and want to play well. It’s always tough to withdraw,” a disappointed Barthel explained.
Barthel said her health was improving and she was confident she would be ready when Hobart International main draw action starts in three days.
“It is getting better every day. I still feel not at 100 per cent, but I still have a couple of days to prepare,” she said.
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