Monique Barry embraces return to ASB Classic

For Monique Barry, the ASB Classic is more than just another stop on the tennis calendar. It is the tournament where belief has been built, confidence tested, and where she feels her game can come alive.

Barry will again take her place on the main stage in Auckland this week, drawn in the first round against Germany’s world No 86 Ella Seidel. 

It is a tough opening assignment, but one Barry, ranked 664, approaches with perspective earned through experience.

Last year’s ASB Classic marked a turning point in her career. Competing in qualifying, Barry recorded what she describes as the biggest win of her professional life, defeating Japan’s Ena Shibahara, who was then ranked 137. 

She followed that with a narrow loss to Lina Glushko, a player ranked just outside the world’s top 200 at the time, a result that despite the defeat, reinforced her belief that she belonged at that level.

“That was probably my biggest win of my career,” Barry said. “To be able to do that in New Zealand, with a little crowd, and then almost get that second match as well, I gained a lot of confidence and self-belief from that.”

Now back in Auckland 12 months later, Barry says the environment itself lifts her game. The atmosphere, the crowd, and the scale of the event all contribute to a sharper focus than she often finds in the smaller ITF tournaments that make up much of the professional grind.

“You play better when you’re in that atmosphere,” she said of herself. 

“You try harder at every single moment because you’re enjoying it so much. You don’t get to do this all the time, so you don’t take it for granted.”

That contrast, between packed stadiums and sparsely attended regional events in far-flung places, is one of the sport’s ongoing challenges, particularly for players working their way up the rankings. Barry acknowledges that while the surroundings may differ, the importance of each match should not.

On court, her priorities for 2026 remain clear and consistent. “Staying aggressive, being physical, and really believing in myself,” she said. “Feeling like I belong.”

This year’s ASB Classic also comes after a difficult decision late in 2025, when Barry was unable to play for New Zealand’s Billie Jean King Cup World Group Play-off ties against Poland and Romania due to health reasons. It was a blow, particularly after the work she had put in alongside her teammates to finish top of Asia/Oceania Group I

“I was really upset about it,” she said. “I did all that work in India with Lulu (Sun) and the girls and fought really hard, and I was really excited to be there. But at the time, it just wasn’t right for me.”

Watching teammate Elyse Tse take on world No 2 Iga Swiatek during that window brought mixed emotions. “Things happen for a reason,” Barry said. “I was really happy for her that she got to experience that.”

This week, Barry carries the distinction of being the only New Zealander in the women’s singles main draw, something she frames not as a privilege.

“It wouldn’t be pressure,” she said. “It’s an honour to be here representing New Zealand. Obviously there are nerves. I’m definitely nervous, but I want to enjoy it as much as I can.”

Barry has been working with Matt Hair, New Zealand’s Billie Jean King Cup captain, in preparation for the ASB Classic.

Against Seidel, Barry faces a higher-ranked opponent with more experience at WTA level. But in Auckland, belief, built a year ago and reinforced since, is once again on her side.