Ash Barty delighted with Iga Swiatek’s dominance this season, calls the Pole “A breath of fresh air”


Ash Barty delighted with Iga Swiatek’s dominance this season, calls the Pole “A breath of fresh air”

Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek

Ash Barty continues to stay away from tennis as the Australian remains adamant about no u-turn on her sudden retirement. Barty’s last match of her career was the finals of the 2022 Australian Open where she claimed her maiden title in Melbourne and the third and final Grand Slam of her career.

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Following Barty’s retirement, the No. 1 spot was up for grabs and Iga Swiatek, who was then ranked 2nd, ascended to the top of the rankings. Since then, Swiatek has been unmoved from the top of the rankings and currently holds a lead of more than 6000 ranking points.

In a recent interview, Barty reiterated her admiration for Swiatek’s reign at the top. Swiatek has already raced to the 15th spot in the list for most consecutive weeks spent at the top as she is in the 31st week. With a massive lead at the top, it could be a long time before Swiatek can be challenged at the top.

“She is a breath of fresh air and she has completely and utterly dominated this season. She has been a level above, a head above the rest, and it has been amazing to see her flourish,” said Barty praising the 21-year-old who recently concluded her glorious season with a 67-8 record.

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Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek’s head-to-head record

Ash Barty, Iga Swiatek
Ashleigh Barty, Iga Swiatek

While Barty has been praising Swiatek ever since her retirement, Swiatek has also reciprocated the admiration and respect for the Australian. Swiatek could have been a great competitor for the Australian had it not been for her sudden retirement that left everyone stunned.

Barty however had the upper hand in both the matches the two clashed in. Their first meeting took place in the 2021 Madrid Open in the round of 16 when Barty won 7-5, 6-4 in a closely fought match. The pair then met in the semi-finals of the 2022 Adelaide Open where Barty won 6-2, 6-4.

In Swiatek’s defense, the defeat in Madrid was a close one while the one in Adelaide was Barty’s brilliance as she went undefeated this season before her retirement going 11-0 this year. It can’t be however denied that had Barty continued, Swiatek as a challenger to Barty would have been a great battle to witness.

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