Justine Henin hopes Iga Swiatek will thrive as world No. 1 after Ash Barty's decision to retire from tennis

Justine Henin believes Iga Swiatek has what it takes to prove she is the number one player in the world following Ash Barty's decision to retire from tennis. The Pole, who will ascend to world No. 1 after the Miami Open, will face Naomi Osaka in Saturday's final after beating Jessica Pegula 6-2 7-5 in one hour and 50 minutes on Thursday.

Ad/> Former world No.1 Henin believes Barty retiring is «not good news» for the women's game but backs Swiatek to rise to the expectation of being the number one player on the WTA tour. WTA MiamiThe rise and rise of Swiatek — and why this is just the start28/03/2022 AT 05:43 «Barty's retirement is not good news for women's tennis today,» she told Eurosport. «She was a girl who brought a lot of creativity, with an extremely complete game.

And she had this consistency. »Iga Swiatek, she has charisma, she can get the public, she likes to play in front of people. I think that she will now have to go for the big titles.

«Iga will have to avoid the trap of that absolute pressure, when you go out on the court as world No. 1 of having to impose yourself, of having to win every game. »But rather taking it as a positive privilege and saying to herself today that she is not stealing this place from anyone.

And to continue to work and try to establish a bit more authority. «She has so much desire to do well that sometimes she loses herself a little in this energy. »There is experience, maturity that will come into play little by little.

She has something in her personality, so we hope she'll be a great world No. 1." 'Feeling super dizzy' — baffled Medvedev denies 'nerves' in shock loss 'Damn, I'm almost crying' — emotional Osaka fights back to reach final Australian world No. 1 Barty stunned the