Ashleigh Barty says she’ll enter this year’s Australian Open a better player than she was a year ago, despite walking away with a second straight Sydney International runners-up trophy.

Barty saw the Sydney crown slip from her grasp on Saturday night, taking the first set 6-1 from world No.8 Petra Kvitova before going down in a third-set tiebreaker.

But her run to this year’s final was far more distinguished, knocking over world No.1 Simona Halep, No.9 Kiki Bertens and No.12 Elise Mertens on her way to the final.

She also has more tennis under her belt than last year, winning two of three matches in Perth as opposed to being knocked out in the opening round of the Brisbane International last summer.

“I’m a different player than I was 12 months ago. I feel like I’m a much better player. I’m a more complete player,” Barty said.

“You know, certainly with a week like this, I have had probably one of the best weeks of my career.

“I feel like I’m playing great tennis. Yes, it’s a bitter pill to swallow tonight, but we move on, we keep working, and we have a slam to look forward to in a couple days’ time.”

Barty was knocked out in the third round of last year’s Australian Open, but has since gone on to win two titles on the WTA Tour in 2018.

She also reached the fourth round of the US Open, taking her ranking to career-high No.15 at the end of last year, earning her a seed at this year’s home grand slam.

Barty flew to Melbourne on Saturday night after her loss to Kvitova, and will hit and rest on Sunday before she takes on Thai woman Luksika Kumkhum in the first round on Monday.

“I will give myself a day to digest what we have done over the last two weeks and obviously get to Melbourne and start preparing as best that we can,” Barty said.

“Look, I’m so excited to be back at the Australian Open. It’s the best time, well, the best way for us to start the year as Australians.”