Tennis: Iga Swiatek likely to become new world number one
What's the story
With Ashleigh Barty announcing her retirement from tennis on Wednesday, Polish star Iga Swiatek could become the new world number one in the WTA Rankings. Notably, the 25-year-old Barty held top spot for more than two years. With Barty set to remove herself from the WTA Rankings, the 20-year-old Swiatek is on the pole position to take over. Here are the details.
WTA
Swiatek is 2,204 ranking points behind Barty
At the moment, Barty tops the show in the WTA Rankings with 7,980 points. Swiatek is a distant second with 5,776 points. The Pole is a massive 2,204 ranking points behind Barty at the moment but on Monday there will be a new world number one and Swiatek is the frontrunner. Maria Sakkari (5,085), Barbora Krejcikova (5,033), and Aryna Sabalenka (4,862) follow suit.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Barty had recently cited health set-backs as her reason to withdraw from the upcoming WTA 1000 hard court events at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open. She was aiming for a comeback in April. However, the announcement shook the tennis fraternity. And now, Swiatek gets a chance to climb up the ladder and be the new world number one.
Reaction
Swiatek not thinking about the WTA Rankings
"They said it may be possible that I'm going to be World No 1," Swiatek said as per AFP. "Honestly, when we really thought about the situation and when we read all the news, all the rules that may apply, we realised there's no sense to actually think about that right now because we have such a short time to prepare for another tournament."
Indian Wells
Swiatek beat Sakkari to lift Indian Wells crown
On Sunday, Swiatek eased past Sakkari (6-4, 6-1) to clinch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California. Swiatek clinched a fifth WTA Tour singles title of her career, besides a second consecutive title. As per WTA, Swiatek became the first Polish woman to claim the title at Indian Wells. The win saw the 20-year-old rise to number two.
Form
Swiatek has a 20-3 record in 2022
Swiatek is on an 11-match unbeaten run at the moment, having won the Qatar Open and BNP Paribas Open respectively. Prior to that, Swiatek lost in the round of 16 in Doha and was ousted in the semis of the 2022 Australian Open. She had also reached the semis of the Adelaide International. In 2022, her win-loss tally reads as 20-3.
Information
Swiatek to face Golubic in Miami
Swiatek will turn her attention towards the ongoing Miami Open next. This is another WTA 1000 event. The Pole starts her campaign against Switzerland's 29-year-old Viktorija Golubic. Notably, Golubic advanced after beating Kirsten Flipkens in a three-set battle (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).