A formality for history. In women’s tennis on the head after the departure of Ashleigh Barty on Wednesday, Iga Swiatek did not pass up the opportunity to write her name in the annals of the WTA. The Pole qualified for the third round of the Miami tournament on Friday by beating Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic (42nd) in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0. This success secures the winner of Roland-Garros 2020 as the world number one from April 4, the day after the end of the competition in Florida.
Welcome to the club ️
@iga_swiatek is the first Polish player in tennis history to become the world number 1 in singles
#1GA pic.twitter.com/W8IEJh9C1n—wta (@WTA) March 26, 2022
For Iga Swiatek, this dedication is that of a precocious champion, already at the top of the hierarchy at the age of 20. It’s also the reward of a steady increase in power since its resounding title in the Porte d’Auteuil less than two years ago, when it was just a promise of the track. The Warsaw native has reached the second week of all the Grand Slam tournaments she has played since last season, falling only in the last Australian Open in the semi-finals before the surprise Danielle Collins. Above all, Swiatek won three WTA 1000 tournaments this season, in Rome in 2021 and then in Doha and Indian Wells, on Saturday, March 19, to rack up points and get closer to Ashleigh Barty.
With the throne vacant, Swiatek seized the opportunity to settle there. Gaining in passing the honor of his predecessor. †There is no better person than Igaexplained Barty. The way she brought that freshness, that fearless energy to the court, was amazing. I hope she can stay true to herself, be number one in her own way and pursue her career goals and dreams.†
However, Swiatek’s win on Friday lasted longer than the seemingly hasty score would suggest. An exciting time against a solid opponent, the righthander gave up nine break points in the first set. But more powerful and in control, Swiatek let Golubic serve only once, having already broken away 5-1. A glitch was immediately corrected to win the first round and never repeat. †The past two days I felt a little more pressure, admitted Swiatek shortly after his win. USAIt was more stressful than usual, but I’m glad I handled it well and showed my best tennis today.†
The new queen of the circuit then only had 26 minutes left to close the case. †This is proof to myself that I can handle this. And I’m very happy with itwelcomed the 28th woman in history to reach the top of the world rankings. Honestly, it wasn’t until after Indian Wells that I realized that becoming number one was possible. So I didn’t really have time to digest that I had even come second in the world. Since I am number 1 now, I need more time to realize it.†
Iga Swiatek in 2022:
– Leading 21-3 record
– No.1 in the race to the WTA final
– 4-1 against Top 10
– 1st AO Semi
– 2 WTA 1000 titles (Doha, Indian Wells), equal with Barty
– Current win streak of 12 matches
– 1st player since 2009 to win 5 career titles before 21. pic.twitter.com/REUQcEYbDd— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 26, 2022
She is now assured of this coveted spot of the world’s number one, regardless of the continuation of her career in Miami. The way was all the more open when her main competitor, Maria Sakkari, collapsed as soon as she was in the running on Friday, beating Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia (62nd) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. However, Iga Swiatek can add the road to his new status. Winner in Indian Wells last week, she can now draw the “sunshine double” if she were to triumph in Florida, which only three players in history have achieved: Steffi Graff (1994, 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005) and Victoria Azarenka ( 2016). All also ex-world number one.
