Iga Swiatek looking forward to meeting ‘Inspiration’ Ash Barty in Australia
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Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has landed Down Under already. Along with Hubert Hurkacz‘s rank of World No. 10, the two have taken Poland into the inaugural edition of the United Cup. The Hopman Cup replacement event qualifies nations based on their highest-ranked WTA and ATP player.
As the teams prepare for the 2023 United Cup, Swiatek has other things on her mind as well. She walks in as the favorite for the 2023 Australian Open, but that’s not the only thing she is looking forward to. With her predecessor at the top of the rankings, Ash Barty, living in Australia, Swiatek has added ‘meeting Barty’ to her to-do list for the Australian Open Leg of the Tour.
Barty’s retirement after the 2022 Australian Open propelled Swiatek to the top of the rankings. While there were a couple of candidates for the top spot, Swiatek’s hattrick of WTA-1000 titles crowned her as the World No. 1 on 4th April 2022. Since then, both Barty and Swiatek have expressed admiration and respect for each other. Swiatek was looking to become the challenger for Barty but things couldn’t shape well as the Australian retired from the sport.
“Hopefully maybe this week we’re going to be able to meet and I’m going to say it straight to her, but she really inspired me to work harder and her different game style made me realize that there is always like room for improvement,” said Swiatek as per WTA Insider.
Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek’s rivalry
3-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty retired with an 11-0 record last season. She won the WTA-500 event in Adelaide and then won the Australian Open. She lost only one set during the 11 matches she played with Coco Gauff winning the set against her in Adelaide’s opening fixture. Barty had clashed with Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals in Adelaide but won in straight-sets on her way to the title.
It was the second and the last match the two players clashed in. They first met at the 2021 Madrid Open where Barty won in straight-sets before finishing runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka. Despite winning both clashes, Barty did admit that Swiatek would have been a great player to play against in the future had she continued.
Swiatek on numerous occasions has spoken of her regret in not having played the Australian more. Even analysts and experts have pitched in that a potential rivalry between Barty and Swiatek would have been of great consequence for the WTA Tour. But alas, not all dreams are completed. Nevertheless, Swiatek remains positive about having a private audience with the reigning Australian Open champion and thank her for being an inspiration.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)