Former world No. 1 Justine Henin said losing Ashleigh Barty is not good news for the women’s game but added Iga Swiatek has what it takes to be the next big champion. Last week, Barty announced a shock retirement from tennis at the age of 25.
Swiatek, who rose to a career-high ranking of No. 2 after winning Indian Wells, will replace Barty as the new No. 1 when the WTA rankings list get updated after Miami. Barty’s name will be removed from the WTA rankings list on Monday.
“Barty’s retirement is not good news for women’s tennis today,” Henin 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,” Henin continued.
“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.
“But rather taking it as a positive privilege and saying to herself today that she is not stealing this place from anyone.
