Picture Credit: Twitter
Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek defeated Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic in straight sets 6-2, 6-0 to win her second-round match in the ongoing Miami Open. With this win, she reached the top of the WTA rankings. The 20-year-old has become the new World No. 1 after Ash Barty vacated the spot - announcing retirement from the game.
“Pretty surreal. On one hand, these are the most special moments that you’re going to remember for the rest of your life, but on the other hand, that match was just another match,” said Swiatek.
After her win, Swiatek was congratulated by tournament director James Blake and former WTA number one Lindsay Davenport in a small post-match ceremony. “I never really imagined that moment because, truth to be told, I was working day-by-day and playing tennis well, but I never had the strong belief that it can actually happen. So it’s even more surreal for me,” the Polish star continued.
She also expressed how she wasn’t scared about the moment as it came after Barty’s shock retirement. The 20-year-old added, “I loved every moment of it. It doesn’t matter for me if there were fireworks. The crowd was really supportive. They were really excited. I’m just soaking everything in because I didn’t have any expectations.”
Swiatek is the 28th woman to reach the WTA zenith and is the youngest player since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. She said, “I think it’s going to be a little bit different. Maybe the hype is going to be a little bit bigger, but I’m ready for it. And honestly, it’s part of the job," Swiatek added.
“From my perspective, I don’t think anything will change. Maybe I’ve got to watch if I’m wearing clean clothes and representing tennis well. So I’m going to be careful with that. But honestly, I’m the same person."
Iga Swiatek is the first Polish international ever to reach the number one rank overtaking Agnieszka Radwanska who once reached the world number two position. She has been on an absolute tear this season - winning WTA titles in Doha and Indian Wells and continuing a career-best 12-match winning streak.