“Ash changed my mindset,” Girl power takes over Australian Open as Iga Swiatek gushes over Ash Barty’s inspiring presence in her life

Iga Swiatek explained Ash Barty's influence on her game.

“Ash changed my mindset,” Girl power takes over Australian Open as Iga Swiatek gushes over Ash Barty’s inspiring presence in her life

Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek (Image via: Imago)

Top seed Iga Swiatek revealed that former tennis player and WTA World No. 1 Ash Barty was one of the reasons she made it to the Women’s Tennis Association’s World No. 1. 

Iga Swiatek has been putting up an incredibly tough fight over the last few years. However, she has stated Australian Ash Barty as her main motivator for having been able to perform as well as she has.

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The World No. 1 player had a tough time at the end of last year. Starting with a disappointing US Open title defense, where she lost the No. 1 position to Aryna Sabalenka, she had not been exhibiting the level of tennis fans were used to. 

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However, a title-winning campaign at the WTA Finals in Guadalajara after defeating Sabalenka in the semi-finals enabled her to win back her World No. 1 title, finishing the year as the top player.

However, she had named Ash Barty as her motivator for her incredible performances. 

Ash changed my mindset going into 2022. That was a breakthrough for me. It's not the only reason, but I feel like it's one of the reasons I later became World No.1.
The four time Grand Slam champion said

The Pole revealed that it was tough to play against her and win points. Swiatek also admitted that while Barty was not the only reason, she was one of the reasons for her awe-inspiring game at the moment.

Ash Barty shocked the tennis world when she announced her retirement from the sport when she was the No. 1 player. However, it is evident that despite her retirement, she still holds a big spot in the sport in the form of her influence on other players.

Iga Swiatek explains Ash Barty’s influence on her game

World No.1 Iga Swiatek revealed the effect Ash Barty had on her game. She admitted that the Australian’s game made her train herself to have more variety in her strokes.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via: Open source)
I started practicing this kind of stuff just to be able to play against her, hitting back slices and everything. I'm very grateful for her. I don't know if I'd be World No.1 if she was still playing.
Said the Pole. She also admitted that Barty was a huge inspiration to her.

The four-time Grand Slam champion also admitted that the duo had a good relationship off-court. She revealed that she was hoping to see the former World No. 1’s baby as soon as possible. The 27-year-old former tennis player gave birth to a son in July 2023.

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