Former world No. 4 Bianca Andreescu thinks Iga Swiatek deserves to be where she is now as she has called the Pole “the new Ashleigh Barty.”
After Barty retired from professional tennis in late March, Swiatek replaced her as the new world No. 1.
However, there is no doubt that Swiatek deserves to be the top-ranked player as she has won her last 28 matches.
“She’s definitely setting a high precedent right now. For me at least it’s very motivating. She’s like the new Ashleigh Barty of the tour, because Ashleigh was winning a lot, as well. It’s very motivating. I’m very impressed with how she’s doing,” Andreescu said, per Reem Abulleil.
Bianca Andreescu on Iga Swiatek:
She’s definitely setting a high precedent right now. For me at least it’s very motivating. She’s like the new Ashleigh Barty of the tour, because Ashleigh was winning a lot, as well. It’s very motivating. I’m very impressed with how she’s doing.
ā Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) May 21, 2022
Andreescu beaten by Swiatek in Rome
Andreescu, who kicked off her clay season last month, was hoping she would get a shot at Swiatek.
Andreescu didn’t have to wait for too long to get to play Swiatek as the two met in Rome last week.
Andreescu put up a strong effort in the first set but Swiatek escaped with a 7-6 (2) 6-0 win.
“I wasn’t really expecting anything because I didn’t actually know how she’s playing after the break. I watched many of her matches before she did that break. Right now I didn’t know if her tennis is the same or it changed a little bit. But I knew that physically I can play longer rallies and also play longer matches. So basically I was ready for that. Also, I knew that she’s going to change rhythm. She did that, which was pretty tricky. Just knowing that, I was just ready for it. Tactically I knew it about it, so I’m pretty happy that we prepared well,” Swiatek said after the match.
Meanwhile, Andreescu is preparing for her third French Open.
In the first round, Andreescu will take on Ysaline Bonaventure.