Poland’s Iga Swiatek will take over from Ashleigh Barty as the new World No 1 when the rankings are released on Monday, April 4, following the Miami Open.
Swiatek, the 2020 French Open champion, will become the first man or woman from Poland to ascend to the No.1 position in singles.
ALSO READ: Jenson Brooksby hits ballkid, gets away with it
At 20 years, 308 days of age, Swiatek will become the youngest player to make the WTA World No.1 debut since Caroline Wozniacki did so in 2010, aged 20 years and 92 days.
🥰I'm pretty sure that tomorrow the sun will shine exactly the same way as today but for now…it feels surreal.
No.1!!
🥰Jestem prawie pewna, że jutro słońce będzie świeciło tak samo jak dziś, póki co to wszystko wydaje się jednak nierealne.
Numer 1!!#1GA #whataride pic.twitter.com/3jUw1lI69d
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) March 26, 2022
Last week, Barty had announced shock retirement from the sport, at the age of 25, vacating the No 1 spot in women’s tennis.
Swiatek’s victory over Viktorija Golubic in the second round at Miami helped her secure the top ranking.
Sharpen your backhand with our FREE guide
Appropriately, Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” played on the public address system as the Pole motored to her 12th win in a row.
“For sure it would be for me something special to be World No. 1. I never expected that, if it’s going to happen it’s going to happen that way,” Swiatek said.
ALSO READ: Ukraine star Alexandr Dolgopolov slams ATP
Speaking about the prospect of Swiatek becoming number one following her retirement, Barty had said: “If it is Iga, there is no better person.
It's still a little bit surreal to me… @ashbarty thank you for what you've done for our sport, for every time we practiced together and played against each other – it was always a challenge in the best way possible. I hope you'll enjoy every second in this new chapter Champ. 💛 pic.twitter.com/iZ6ZGlaEuz
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) March 24, 2022
“She’s an incredible person, a great player. The way she’s brought this fresh, fearless energy on to the court has been incredible.
ALSO READ: Boris Becker goes on trial in bankruptcy case
“She thoroughly deserves it. I hope she can take it and still be her, do it her own way, and really chase what she’s after in her career and her dreams.”
