MIAMI: Iga Swiatek started her week by deciding that she wanted to set her sights on becoming the No. 1 player in the world, without knowing how long that quest would take.
A few days and one surprising retirement later, mission accomplished.
Women's tennis has a new name atop its rankings, a 20-year-old who — now that Ashleigh Barty has retired and asked to vacate her No. 1 spot on the world list — becomes the first Polish player to hold that distinction. Swiatek's ascension was clinched on Friday night with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland in the second round of the Miami Open.
When the tournament ends and the rankings are updated April 4, Barty will be removed and Swiatek officially will move into the top spot no matter what happens the rest of the way in Miami.
"I'm really satisfied and really proud of myself," Swiatek said.
Swiatek becomes the 28th different woman to hold the No. 1 ranking since the computerized system debuted in November 1975. Her rise has been steady and constant; she ended 2016 ranked No. 903, cracked the top 500 for the first time in 2018, ended 2020 ranked No. 17, then was No. 9 when last year ended. Agencies
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