Casey's court a life-changer
She may now be enjoying a career-best ranking of 36 but Casey Dellacqua is still taken aback when included among the tennis world's elite.
And when former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka asked the 29-year-old if she wanted to have a practice hit with her on the eve of Wimbledon, she was shocked.
"Usually I don't tend to ask any of the top-ranked girls because I feel uncomfortable, not knowing if they would want to hit with little old Casey Dellacqua from Australia," she said .
"But she came over and asked if I wanted a hit, and I certainly wouldn't knock back having a hit with Vika."
"Little old Casey Dellacqua" has been playing the best tennis of her career, making it to the second round of Wimbledon in the singles draw after failing to secure a spot last year.
She was knocked out this week by fourth seed and 2012 runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska, but is hoping for success in the doubles with Ashleigh Barty.
She attributes her resurgence from 200th in September last year to 36th ahead of Wimbledon to the people around her, namely her coach Shannon Nettle, fitness instructor Giselle Martin and her partner Amanda Judd and 10-month-old baby Blake. His arrival, and becoming a family, has changed life on the tour dramatically for Dellacqua, but for the better.
"Some of the weeks in Europe were a bit tough with small hotel rooms and having a 10-month-old, but we make it work," she said.
"Amanda is a great support, she's wonderful. We think our lives are chaotic, but beautiful and we love it, we wouldn't want it any other way."
Dellacqua put her mind to improving her singles ranking after her US Open doubles finals loss in September last year, and credits Nettle and Martin with helping turn her career around.
"Shannon is a phenomenal coach," she said. "He's probably one of the hardest working tennis coaches I've ever worked with."
She has struggled with injuries in recent years but said those difficult times helped her appreciate her career now.
"It makes the journey more enjoyable because you've been there and you understand what's been taken from you, so you want to work harder.
"I'm feeling really proud that I'm 29 and playing the best tennis of my career. I didn't know if it would come but I certainly put everything in place to get to this point."
