‘I think I need to improve my technique’: Casey Dellacqua laughs off excruciating Ash Barty interview after her former doubles partner stitched her up on live TV
- Casey Dellacqua, 34, interviewed Ash Barty, 23, at Australian Open on Tuesday
- Dellacqua reluctantly took the microphone, saying: ‘I’m nervous. I’m shaking’
- Barty wrapped her arm around her and said ‘it’s OK, it’s all right’ on court
- Dellacqua said Barty’s hug calmed her nerves on Today show on Wednesday
Casey Dellacqua has joked that she needs to improve her interview technique after an awkward on-court chat with Ash Barty.
The former Australian tennis star, 34, interviewed her good friend and former doubles partner who beat Petra Kvitova in the quarter finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday afternoon.
Nine’s Jim Courier was supposed to give the interview but Barty summoned his fellow commentator Dellacqua, telling him: ‘She’s got no choice, get your butt out here girl’.
Casey Dellacqua (pictured) has joked that she needs to improve her interview technique after an awkward on-court chat with Ash Barty
Dellacqua walked on to the Rod Laver Arena in front of 15,000 fans and reluctantly took the microphone, saying: ‘I’m too nervous. I’m shaking.’
She asked a few questions before cracking up and saying: ‘I am actually not loving this, Ash.’
Barty wrapped her arm around her and said ‘it’s OK, it’s alright’ before Dellacqua said: ‘I don’t even know where to go with this interview to be honest’.
Courier, who was still on court, then advised her to ask about Barty’s opponent and the interview continued.
On Nine’s Today show on Wednesday morning, Dellacqua, who won the French Open mixed doubles in 2011, said Barty’s hug calmed her nerves.
‘To be honest, she helped me out in that moment and that’s what friends do.
‘Obviously I’ve been given credit for helping her but in that moment she was helping me. I know I need to improve my interviewing skills to be honest.’
She added: ‘That is how we talk every day. We talk as friends, we give each other cuddles and I’m really proud of her and I’m glad I had to share that moment with her.’
Top seed Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the Australian Open semifinals in 36 years
Barty wrapped her arm around her before Dellacqua said ‘I don’t even know where to go with this interview to be honest’