JAKARTA - World number one Iga Swiatek said he cried for 40 minutes after learning three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty retired in a shock last month.
Swiatek took over the top spot on Monday after former Australian Barty decided to end her career at the age of 25.
"I cried for 40 minutes," Swiatek said.
"Especially, it's because Ash retired. I had no idea it was going to happen and it really took me by surprise."
"I always had the vision that we were all going to play until we were 35 years old or until our bodies were so tired that we couldn't anymore."
"It took me some time to really understand what he was thinking. His decision was very bold and I felt a lot of emotion because of it."
Swiatek said he also became emotional after learning he could take over the top spot, which the 20-year-old Pole knew after a second-round win at the Miami Open which he later went on to lift the trophy.
"I realized after two hours getting really emotional that 'Hey, you don't know what's going to happen yet and you still have to win some games,'" Swiatek said.
"So I said to myself 'let's wait with emotion and excitement because I have work to do.'"
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