“I couldn’t stop crying,” Iga Swiatek recalls the emotional breakout she experienced when Ash Barty announced her retirement

Barty has got the better of Swiatek twice in their respective matchups.

“I couldn’t stop crying,” Iga Swiatek recalls the emotional breakout she experienced when Ash Barty announced her retirement

Iga Swiatek on Ash Barty's retirement (Via user generated content)

Iga Swiatek has been one of the most prominent players in the last two years. Swiatek ended the season as World No.1 after winning the WTA Tour Finals. However, she was dethroned from her position by Aryna Sabalenka due to the Polish’s poor form in the middle of the season. Although, after a superb form in the WTA Tour and the China Open, Swiatek superbly ended the year.

In a recent interview with Players Tribune, the three-time French Open winner opened up about Ash Barty, the player she looked up to. She recalled how she cried after hearing the news of Barty’s retirement. 

I couldn't stop crying. Honestly, it didn't really have that much to do with potentially moving up in the ranking. It might sound strange, but I was so confused & shocked that Ash was 25, & she was retiring. I always had this image in my mind that you retire when you're 32, & your body can't cope anymore. Moreover, I felt like Ash has the best tennis out there, hands down. I couldn't wrap my head around it and I didn't know if she was unhappy or something.
Iga Swiatek in her interview with The Players’ Tribune

The former World No.1 has got the better of Swiatek twice. Firstly, in the Madrid Open and then in the Adelaide International. Both times defeating Swiatek in straight sets. Even though Barty was past her prime, she dominated Swiatek.

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Iga Swiatek recalls the secret to success she learned from Ash Barty

Swiatek’s career hasn’t been all about success and winning Grand Slam titles. She has had to face a lot of hard times during his career. Moreover, she has always found herself on the receiving end of backlash and online trolls. However, in the interview with Players Tribune, Swiatek recalled how she learned so much from Barty regarding her attitude on the court and away from the court.

Iga Swiatek recalls her admiration for Ash Barty, recalls the time when she cried after hearing the news of retirement of the Australian.
Iga Swiatek (image via: Tennis Head Magazine)

Swiatek said, 

But when I saw Ash, I was like, Wow, you can choose to do this differently. While you're on this journey, striving for excellence, you can sometimes say, ‘Okay, that's enough.’ You're in control, the whole way. No one else is driving the car. And sometimes the best solution is not giving a sh*t, honestly. I am sorry to curse, but if there is some secret to my success in the last year, it's giving myself that freedom to not care what people think."

With the Australian Open set to commence in January, all eyes will be upon her as to how the young tennis star from Poland performs. She didn’t have a very good outing last time around in Melbourne Park, losing out to Elena Rybakina in the fourth round. Thus, she will be determined to make a statement this time around.

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