Justine Henin believes Swiatek will be "a great World No.1" following Barty's retirement

Former World No.1 Justine Henin claims Iga Swiatek has what it takes to prove she is the number one player in the world following Ashleigh Barty's decision to retire from tennis.

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.

"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.

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"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."

Swiatek, who will ascend to World No. 1 after the Miami Open, will face Naomi Osaka in Saturday's final.