Navratilova backs Swiatek to end season with World Number One still in tact: "But it's a lot closer than it was this time last year"
WTATuesday, 08 August 2023 at 12:00
Former world number one Martina Navratilova has backed
Poland’s Iga Swiatek to finish the year as the top-ranked WTA player.
The 22-year-old is sitting at the top of the ladder in the
WTA rankings for quite some time but the gap is now being closed with the likes
of Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus who is now just a tournament win away from
dethroning her.
However, former great Navratilova was quoted in a report
where she backed Swiatek to still finish the year as the number one player.
"Other than Coco Gauff, I think she’s the best mover,
efficient and quick. I think she’s still the favorite to finish the year No.1
but, it’s a lot closer than it was this time last year,” she said.
The Warsaw-born will be looking to continue her good form
after winning a WTA title on her home soil.
She will be defending her crown in the upcoming US Open as
she won it the last year after defeating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in the final in
straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-6.
Other than that, Swiatek has also won three French Open
titles in her young career in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
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mandoist10-05-2024 - So, Elena Rybakina has again withdrawn due to illness (in Rome). Fans are concerned if this is truly a gastrointestinal issue. Why the secrecy? Is it truly an illness causing these withdrawals? It may be helpful -- even encouraging -- for others whom also suffer whatever illness is ongoing here to know what she is dealing with; and how. A form of Colitis? Ulcers? What's up? Timing has been last minute. It's a bummer all around.mandoist10-05-2024
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