JAKARTA - Women's world number two Iga Swiatek was shocked to suddenly become world number one after three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty made the sudden decision to retire from tennis.
The 2020 French Open champion this week glided smoothly to the Miami tournament after beating Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-1 in the Indian Wells final and winning in Doha in February. He admits his target has been to overtake Barty.
But it turned out to be faster than he expected, as Barty decided to remove his own WTA ranking as a result of the decision to hang up his racket.
"For me it's quite strange, in two days my goal was achieved and it might actually happen that fast. But still it's luck as a result of his decision," said Swiatek as quoted by Reuters on Wednesday.
"One of my team members came and said, 'Hey, put down your laptop.'
"When we read all the news, all the possible rules that apply, we don't think it makes sense to really think about that right now."
The 25-year-old Barty shocked the tennis world when announcing her retirement on Wednesday, just two months after winning her third Grand Slam title in Australia.
Swiatek calls Barty a role model for other athletes for putting her own happiness first, but admits Barty's announcement surprised her.
"I was really emotional, not because of my position, but more because he retired at such a young age," said Swiatek.
"I have great respect and truly consider him brave for making this decision."
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