Iga Swiatek: How she replaced Ashleigh Barty as world No. 1 and how many more Grand Slams she could win

Iga Swiatek may have reached world No. 1 in the most surprising fashion following Ashleigh Barty’s retirement at the age of 25, but it is no surprise to see her now sit at the top of the women’s game. Swiatek’s talent was clear when she swept to the 2020 French Open title without dropping a set.

“It feels like I'm watching Rafael Nadal,” said former world No. 1 Mats Wilander on Eurosport, who predicted that Swiatek would win “so many more” majors. Those may well follow, but reaching world No.1 is another sign that Swiatek is the real deal.

Ad/> It seems fitting that Swiatek should be the one to take over from Barty, considering the glowing respect between the pair. Barty described Swiatek as “exceptional” after their first meeting in Madrid last year. After announcing her retirement she said there would be “no better person” to take over from her as world No.1.

“She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player. The way that she’s brought this fresh, fearless energy onto the court has been incredible.” French Open‘Djokovic suddenly becomes favourite’ – Wilander backs Serb for 21st Grand Slam35 MINUTES AGO Barty is only five years older than Swiatek, yet seemed a huge inspiration. Swiatek referenced Barty at the 2021 US Open as the benchmark for women’s tennis – “the best kind of consistency is when you can win, like, five titles a year…so right now I'm looking at the results that Ash has” – and just last week at Indian Wells she brought up Barty.

“When she feels like the match is really tight, she treats it like a great experience because she can find solutions, actually be focused on that. That's why she's the best. It's a pretty healthy mindset.” Had Barty not retired, her rivalry with Swiatek would almost certainly