Ashleigh Barty has switched her focus to helping Australia win the Fed Cup for the first time in 45 years following her scintillating start to 2019.
Barty was still on cloud nine on Thursday after her captivating run to the Australian Open quarter-finals and planned to take a well-earned week's rest before hitting the court again.
But with Australia facing the USA in the first round of the eight-team Fed Cup in North Carolina from February 1-2, the 22-year-old is maintaining full motivation.
Australia haven't won the Fed Cup since Barty's idol and mentor Evonne Goolagong starred in the 1974 final triumph over the US, or even reached a final in 26 years.
But with Daria Gavrilova and Ajla Tomjlanovic giving Australia three players in the world's top 50, plus former grand slam champion Samantha Stosur, hopes are high that the Alicia Molik-led 2019 outfit could break through.
"It's a massive opportunity," Barty said.
"It's been a two-year process for us to get back into the World Group.
"We've probably got one of the toughest asks playing the Americans in an away tie. It doesn't get much tougher than that.
"But I think what 'Mol" has been able to create in our Fed Cup team - the passion, the drive and just the want to do well and play for your country - has been amazing and I know all of us love playing under her as a captain."
Molik is due to name her team to face the US next week.
With Stosur reaching the Australian Open doubles finalist at Melbourne Park this week, the veteran could partner Barty for the potentially decisive final rubber - if the skipper opts to burden her spearhead with a full load of duties.
"I'll put my hand up for anything that 'Mol' wants me to play," Barty said.
Victory over the USA, who are most unlikely to have Serena or Venus Williams available, would vault Australia into a semi-final in April against either Germany or Belarus.
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