A formality for history. In women’s tennis upside down after the retirement of Ashleigh Barty on Wednesday, Iga Swiatek did not miss the opportunity to inscribe her name in the annals of the WTA. The Pole qualified for the third round of the Miami tournament on Friday by outclassing the Swiss Viktorija Golubic (42nd) in two straight sets, 6-2, 6-0. This success ensures the winner of Roland-Garros 2020 the place of 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 singles World No.1
#1GA pic.twitter.com/W8IEJh9C1n—wta (@WTA) March 26, 2022
For Iga Swiatek, this consecration is that of a precocious champion, already at the top of the hierarchy at only 20 years old. It is also the reward of a constant rise in power since its resounding title at the Porte d’Auteuil less than two years ago, when it was still only a promise of the circuit. The Warsaw native has reached the second week of all Grand Slam tournaments she has played since last season, only falling in the last Australian Open in the semi-finals to the surprising Danielle Collins. Above all, Swiatek won three WTA 1000 tournaments, in Rome in 2021 then in Doha and Indian Wells, on Saturday March 19, this season to rack up the points and get closer to Ashleigh Barty.
With the throne vacant, Swiatek jumped at the chance to settle there. Obtaining in passing the homage of his predecessor. “There is no better person than IgaBarty explained. The way she brought that freshness, that fearless energy to the court was amazing. I hope she can continue to be herself, be number one in her own way, and pursue her career goals and dreams.“
Swiatek’s victory on Friday, however, took longer to emerge than the seemingly hasty score would suggest. A tense time against a solid opponent, the right-hander had to face nine break points in the first set. But more powerful and in control, Swiatek only let Golubic take her serve once, when she had already broken away at 5-1. A glitch immediately corrected to win the first round and never be repeated again. “For the past two days, I’ve been feeling a little more pressure, conceded Swiatek just after his victory. VSIt was more stressful than usual, but I’m glad I handled it well and was able to show my best tennis today.“
The new queen of the circuit then only needed 26 minutes to close the case. “This is proof to myself that I can handle this. And I’m very happy about itwelcomed the 28th woman in history to reach the top of the world rankings. To be honest, I only realized after Indian Wells that becoming number one was possible. So I didn’t really have time to digest having become even second in the world. Being number 1 right now, I’m going to need more time to realize.“
Iga Swiatek in 2022:
– Tour-leading 21-3 record
– No.1 on the Race to the WTA Finals
– 4-1 vs. Top 10
– 1st AO Semi
– 2 WTA 1000 titles (Doha, Indian Wells), tied for title lead with Barty
– Current 12-match win streak
– 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 place of world number one, whatever the continuation of her career in Miami. The way was all the more open as her main competitor, Maria Sakkari, collapsed as soon as she entered the running on Friday, beaten 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 by the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (62nd) . Iga Swiatek can however add the way to his new status. Winner in Indian Wells last week, she can now sign the “sunshine double” if she were to triumph in Florida, which only three players have achieved in history: Steffi Graff (1994, 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005) and Victoria Azarenka (2016). All of them also ex-world number one.