Yesterday, 3-time Grand Slam winner Ashleigh Barty shocked the world, as she announced her sudden retirement from tennis. Earlier, Barty won the Australian Open on her home soil by beating Danielle Collins in the final. Meanwhile, after Barty’s retirement, the scenario of women’s tennis has completely changed.

20-year-old Polish superstar, Iga Swiatek, could become the next no.1 player in the WTA rankings. Recently, Barty spoke about Iga and gave her views on the Polish player. 

Ashleigh Barty thinks Iga Swiatek deserves to be the new no.1

Earlier, Barty announced that she will remove herself from the ranking system after the Miami Open. However, she wasn’t quite sure who will become the new no.1. Currently, there are two players who could become the new no.1, i.e. Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa. Swiatek is the clear favorite to claim that no.1 spot if she doesn’t lose in the second round at the Miami Open.

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Speaking about Swiatek potentially becoming the new no.1, Barty said, “There is no better person. She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player and the way she’s brought this fresh fearless energy onto the court has been incredible. I loved testing myself against her, I love playing her, I love practicing with her and spending time with her team.”

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“She’s a brilliant person and was one of the first to message me, which is really nice. I think she thoroughly deserves it and I hope that she can take it and still be her, doing her own way and really chase what she’s after in her career and her dreams.”

Swiatek is eying for the Sunshine Double

After winning the Indian Wells tournament, Swiatek moved to no.2 in the WTA rankings. At Miami Open, she will play her first match against Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland. If Swiatek wins that match, she will surely become the new no.1 even if she doesn’t win the whole tournament. 

However, with her current form, she is the clear favorite to win the Sunshine Double. Meanwhile, if she loses her first match and Paula Badosa becomes the new champion of the Miami Open, the Spaniard will become the new no.1. 

Can Swiatek complete the Sunshine Double? Let us know in the comments.

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