Ashleigh Barty to mentor rising Australian star as tennis great’s photo with Iga Swiatek delights fans
Former world No 1 Ashleigh Barty retired from tennis last year, but she remains a huge attraction and her presence at the United Cup caused a buzz this week.
Fan favourite Barty ended Australia’s 44-year drought for an Australian Open women’s singles title winner last year when she won the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to become a three-time Grand Slam winner and cement her place at the top of the WTA Rankings.
Not long after her success at Melbourne Park, the Australian stunned the sporting world when she announced her retirement as she admitted that she had achieved all her tennis dreams.
The then 25-year-old’s retirement saw Iga Swiatek rise to the top of the rankings and the Pole went on to dominate the season as she won eight titles – including the French Open and US Open.
Many felt Barty’s decision to quit deprived tennis fans of a possible long-term rivalry with Swiatek.
The reigning world No 1 has always been a big fan of Barty and speaking ahead of the United Cup this week, Swiatek said: “When she retired, I felt mixed emotions because I felt like she still has the best tennis out there. She really inspired me to work harder and her different game style made me realise that there is always room for improvement.
“At first I felt like I wasn’t sure if this is kind of my place to be. Ash, she seemed like a huge role model for everybody in terms of her behaviour on court but also off court.
“So I felt like she really set the bar pretty high. So, I (needed) to show it to people but also show it to myself that I’m in the right place.”
And the two got to meet up at the United Cup in Brisbane on Wednesday, much to the delight of tennis fans.
World No.1's only ☝️@iga_swiatek @ashbarty #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/qSKllPGcqb
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 4, 2023
There is further good news for Barty fans as she will attend this year’s Australian Open as she will mentor youngster Olivia Gadecki.
The 20-year-old Gadecki will make her Grand Slam main draw debut after receiving a wildcard entry into the season-opening major at Melbourne Park.
“I’ve been really fortunate to always be able to contact her if I have any questions or if I need advice,” world No 202 Gadecki told the Australian Associated Press.
“She has always been there for me. The best part is she just treats me like a normal person and we can relate in that regard and off court is just as important as on court.”
