World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was shocked to learn she could receive an automatic move to the top of the rankings after three-time Grand Slam winner Ash Barty made the sudden decision to retire.
The 2020 French Open champion rolled into Miami this week on a hot streak after defeating Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1 in the Indian Wells final and winning in Doha in February, and said it had been her goal to chase Barty¡¯s spot at the top.
She could get there sooner than expected if the Australian decides to remove herself from the WTA rankings as a result of her retirement.
¡°It¡¯s pretty weird for it to be my goal for two days and it may actually happen that quick. But still it¡¯s a longshot because it¡¯s her decision,¡± Swiatek said on Wednesday.
¡°One member of my team (was) knocking and saying, ¡®Hey, put your laptop down.¡¯ I was already scared. Yeah, they said it may be possible that I¡¯m going to be world No. 1,¡± she added.
¡°When we read all the news, all the rules that may apply, we realized there¡¯s no sense to actually think about that right now.¡±
The 25-year-old Barty stunned the tennis world when she announced her retirement on Wednesday, just two months after picking up her third Grand Slam title in Australia.
Swiatek called Barty a model for other athletes to put their own happiness first, but told reporters at the Miami Open that the announcement nonetheless hit her hard.
¡°I was really emotional, not because of my position, but more because of her retiring at such a young age,¡± said Swiatek.
¡°I really respect and I really think she¡¯s brave that she has made this decision.¡±
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