Barty confirms ranking removal with Swiatek likely as new World Number One: "There is no better person"
WTAThursday, 24 March 2022 at 09:30
In a hot topic amid the retirement of Ashleigh Barty, the World No.1 spot will now be up for grabs after Miami and Iga Swiatek is in pole position to take it.
This after Barty confirmed that she will be removing herself from the rankings after Miami, a decision similar to Justine Henin previously.
“I’ll be coming off the rankings in the next cycle, which will be after Miami,” she said.
“It’s a new start for the tour, which is going to be really exciting for them. They’ve got exceptional players, great depth. It’s going to be really exciting for them.”
For the Aussie, she believes that if it is Swiatek, it is fully deserved and looks forward to the 20-year-old leading women's tennis going forward.
“I’m not sure of what the possibilities are. I’ve never been one to look at it much,” the Australian said.
“I know that if it is Iga, there is no better person. 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.
“I loved testing myself against her. I loved playing her. I loved practicing with her and spending time with her team. She’s a brilliant person, and was one of the first to message me, which is really nice.
“I think she thoroughly deserves it. I hope that she can take it and still be her, do it her own way, and really chase what she’s after in her career and her dreams. “
While not fully confirmed, it is likely it will be Swiatek due to a big lead in the rankings but multiple players including Anett Kontaveit who doesn't defend a lot on the rankings could mount a challenge further into the season.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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