The Brisbane International and the $15 million United Cup in Sydney and Perth both start on Friday as all roads lead to Melbourne for the Australian Open, kicking off on January 18.
Fresh off his charge to the last four of the ATP Finals in Turin, Alex de Minaur will spearhead the local assault at the year's first grand slam as the world No.7 bids to end Australia's 50-year men's Open title drought.
But while de Minaur shapes as the only realistic contender to finally remove 1976 champion Mark Edmondson from a page in the history books as the nation's most recent winner of the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, Barty is expecting the speed demon's support cast to also make their mark.
The blissfully retired 2022 Open women's champion says she will be a keen observer this summer and hopes Australian stars hit the ground running in the Open lead-up events.
"There's plenty that I miss about playing and there's plenty that I also don't miss, and I think it's only because I've been so grateful to have experienced both being in the thick of it and now also being able to enjoy it as a spectator," the triple grand slam champ told AAP.
"It's (missing) probably the little moments where your team comes together.
"You're on the practice court together, you're in the gym. You're really doing the hard yards together and you're pushed to some really tricky places and you come through that as one.
"Then the super fun part is when you just get to go out there and compete. And for a lot of the Brissie athletes, particularly starting at the Brisbane International, it's a really fun way to do that at home in front of your friends and family.
"You come out and play in an environment that you're really comfortable in and then get sorted and get ready for the Australian Open."
The proud Queenslander says the Australian summer is a special time and is encouraging her compatriots to embrace the spotlight.
"It is so much fun playing at home and I always wish that I'd played better at the Brisbane International, but it wasn't meant to be," Barty said after joining Amazon Flex as an ambassador and personally delivering Christmas packages to customers in Brisbane.
"But something that I always appreciated was that we had the opportunity to play at home.
"Not every single girl in the world gets an opportunity to play in their backyard so for those Queenslanders, especially, it's a special week.
"Regardless of whether you win or lose, you just get to come out here and get yourself sorted and play, enjoy, compete in front of your friends and family. It's pretty fun."
It has been almost four years since Barty shocked the tennis world and abruptly quit.
But the mother of two, aged 29, has no plans of ever making a comeback.
"I don't miss living out of a suitcase, that's for sure," the former world No.1 said.
"I've always been very much a homebody and I love being at home.
"I love spending time with my kids, my sisters and my nieces and nephew. I'm very, very happy living a boring, happy life.
"Obviously my No.1 priority and focus at the moment is being able to enjoy my kids and my family, and watch them grow and see them develop.
"I absolutely love my life. I love my kids. I love watching them learn and try new things and I can't wait to enjoy the next few years with them."
19°C