When Ash Barty stunned the tennis world by retiring as the top-ranked player at just 25 years old, it left a huge void at the top of the women’s game. Little did we know, her surprising decision would provide the spark for long-time contender Iga Świątek to take her game to new heights.
Speaking in a recent interview, Świątek explained how being stuck at world number two behind Barty motivated her training to the extreme. “I was kind of annoyed that she retired being number one,” Świątek admitted. “It made me feel I still have something to do to prove myself.”
The proof came swiftly for the young Pole in 2022 as she went on one of the all-time great runs in tennis history. Showcasing relentless stamina, pinpoint serving and crisp hitting off both wings, Świątek tore through the competition like a hurricane.
Her 37-match win streak saw Świątek rack up six titles on three different surfaces, culminating in a second French Open crown. By April, she stood alone as the top-ranked woman in the world – a position she did not relinquish all year.
So while Barty enjoys her well-earned retirement back home in Australia, her impressive legacy still inspires the current generation. For Iga Świątek, following in the footsteps of such a dominant World No.1 has driven her to new heights many thought impossible in the modern women’s era. And at only 21 years of age, this prodigy appears poised to stamp her own claim as one of tennis’ great champions.
