Ashleigh Barty on ‘incredible person’ Iga Swiatek possibly replacing her as world No 1: ‘There is no better person’
Iga Swiatek is the hot favourite to take over from Ashleigh Barty as world No 1 and the retiring Australian feels “there is no better person” to replace her at the top of the WTA Rankings.
Barty announced her retirement from tennis on Wednesday and she will bow out while world No 1, leaving a vacancy at the top of the rankings.
The 25-year-old has been sitting pretty at the top since September 2019 for an overall total of 185 weeks, but she confirmed that she will remove herself from the rankings when it is updated again after the Miami Open.
Ashleigh Barty retirement reaction: Andy Murray ‘gutted’, Simona Halep jokes about Aussie’s next adventure
“I’ll be coming off the rankings in the next cycle, which will be after Miami,” she said.
“It’s a new start for the tour, which is going to be really exciting for them. They’ve got exceptional players, great depth. It’s going to be really exciting for them.”
Swiatek won last week’s Indian Wells Open to move to a career-high of No 2 and she is in pole position to replace Barty at the top.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Barty feels the 2020 French Open champion would “thoroughly deserve it”.
“I’m not sure of what the possibilities are. I’ve never been one to look at it much,” the Australian said. “I know that if it is Iga, there is no better person. She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player. The way that she’s brought this fresh, fearless energy onto the court has been incredible.
“I loved testing myself against her. I loved playing her. I loved practicing with her and spending time with her team. She’s a brilliant person, and was one of the first to message me, which is really nice.
“I think she thoroughly deserves it. I hope that she can take it and still be her, do it her own way, and really chase what she’s after in her career and her dreams. “
Latest
-
Tennis News
Andy Roddick gives honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s shock coaching split
“I was surprised. You don’t look to make moves in March or April. This has had to be a surprise to both of them.”
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.