Iga Świątek aims to match Ash Barty's consistency with long reign as women's tennis number one

Ash Barty ruled women's tennis with style and grace for more than two years before abdicating.

She was popular with fellow players and fans and had a backhand slice to die for. It's a tough act to follow but Iga Świątek is giving it her best shot.

Świątek is the first Polish player, female or male, to become world number one. The 20-year-old is the youngest player to make her first appearance at number one since Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, who was 20 years and 92 days old in 2010.

«It's surreal, but on the other hand I know I'm in the right place and I've been working for that my whole life,» Świątek said after her victory in the Miami Masters.

«I feel really satisfied and proud of myself.

»I feel like my tennis is going the right way and my goal right now is to stay (at number one) and continue what I am doing."

As if to prove she's fit to take Barty's crown, Świątek has gone on a hot streak.

She's won 17 matches in a row and three tournaments in succession (Qatar, Indian Wells and Miami).

At her most recent triumph in Miami, she didn't lose a set and entered that place only the elite athletes visit, called «the zone».

«I wanted to be in the zone, I know I play my best when I don't even look at the score and treat every point the same way,» Świątek said.

«I was in the zone and I'm happy about it because it's the easiest way for me to be dominant and not let myself distract myself.»

Świątek hits hard and rocks even harder. She often warms up for matches by pumping up to classics from Led Zeppelin.

«They're really, really deep so when you listen to them loudly, it gives you a lot of energy,» Świątek told Eurosport in 2021.

And if you're Świątek's opponent, look out if she's given AC/DC's Thunderstruck a pre-match blast in her