By Marc McGowan
Ash Barty’s second – and almost certainly final – retirement two years ago not only broke Australian hearts but changed the course of tennis history.
Barty will return to Wimbledon next month (as a BBC commentator, along with Nick Kyrgios) for the first time since her 2021 title triumph, as her Polish successor Iga Swiatek is being discussed as a potential all-time great after winning a fourth Roland-Garros trophy and fifth major overall.
Ash Barty’s profile soared after her 2021 Wimbledon triumph. She is returning as a commentator next month.Credit: Getty Images
In Barty’s last match she busted the country’s 44-year title drought in the Australian Open women’s singles, after which she held a mammoth 2633-point margin in the WTA rankings over then-world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka.
Barty, who turned 28 in April, shocked the tennis world almost two months later when she announced she was quitting the sport that made her a household name – and this time for good.
A typically selfless decision came next, with the triple grand slam champion asking to be immediately removed from the rankings at the completion of that year’s Miami Open.
Barty’s decision to abdicate her throne ended her stint as world No.1 at 121 weeks (114 in a row), which was the seventh-longest ever, behind only tennis royalty in Monica Seles (178), Martina Hingis (209), Chris Evert (260), Serena Williams (319), Martina Navratilova (332) and Steffi Graf (377).
Former world No.4 and 2000 Wimbledon semi-finalist Jelena Dokic, who commentates all the grand slams for Nine (owner of this masthead), remains in awe of Barty’s achievements.
“She won three grand slams on three different surfaces,” Dokic says.
“I feel like she was peaking still, and she would have won many more, but she fulfilled her goals and dreams. The fact, even at 25, that she had three years as a dominant No.1 in the world was so impressive. She was an incredible force, and I respect anyone’s decision on what they want to do in their career … but I think she would have gone on to win double-digit grand slams.”
Barty was still 2204 points clear of her closest rival, Swiatek – who did not win a set against Barty in their two meetings – in that final week on top before handing the No.1 ranking to the Pole.
Iga Swiatek succeeded Ash Barty as the dominant player on the WTA Tour.Credit: AP
“There is no better person [than Swiatek],” Barty said at the time. “She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player, and the way she’s brought this fearless energy onto the court has been incredible.
“I loved testing myself against her, I loved playing her [and] I loved practising with her … I think she thoroughly deserves it.”
Swiatek, for her part, admitted in an interview shortly afterwards that she cried for 40 minutes after finding out about Barty’s retirement – and that she would ascend to No.1.
She delivered Barty the ultimate compliment after her first-round victory at this year’s Australian Open, saying the Queenslander, who was famed for her on-court artistry, inspired her to greater heights.
“I just felt I had more variety because I started practising this stuff just to play against [Barty]; getting back slices and everything,” Swiatek said. “I don’t know if I would be world No.1 if she was still playing, but she was a huge inspiration.”
Dokic has enormous admiration for how Swiatek handled the pressure of succeeding Barty and being doubted as a worthy No.1.
Swiatek has not won a Wimbledon title.Credit: AELTC/Getty Images
“Iga’s talked about that – that she felt like she had to stay at No.1, and win a lot of tournaments, and win grand slams, to prove herself,” Dokic said.
“Going out there feeling like, ‘Well, you’re only No.1 because Ash retired’ [would have been tough] – and Ash stepped in as well and defended her, saying what a great player Iga is … I would have loved to see that rivalry.”
Swiatek not only absorbed that pressure but thrived, including an extraordinary 37-match winning streak that is the longest on the WTA Tour this century. Only Sabalenka briefly interrupted Swiatek’s hold on top spot since, with the latter celebrating 100 weeks as world No.1 in April. Swiatek will reach 109 weeks on Monday and is on target to match Barty’s tally on September 16, barely a week after the US Open finishes.
The 23-year-old is certain to be the top seed for a 10th straight grand slam at Wimbledon next month, holding a gargantuan 3707-point buffer over world No.2 Coco Gauff, who she has beaten 11 times from 12 clashes.
Swiatek’s challenge, similarly to claycourt king Rafael Nadal before her, is to prove she can perform at all four grand slams, particularly if she is to join the game’s legends. Whether it is an omen or not, Nadal captured his maiden Wimbledon title – in 2008 – weeks after his fourth at Roland-Garros.
Her 2022 US Open win was significant in that regard, given she had never advanced beyond the fourth round in New York previously or since.
Nine commentator Jelena Dokic.Credit: Instagram
Swiatek’s best Wimbledon result was her quarter-final run last year, while she made the semi-finals at the 2022 Australian Open, but has otherwise stalled at the round-of-16 stage at Melbourne Park.
Dokic believes Swiatek may need to “turn into a little bit of a Barty” to improve her fortunes at Wimbledon, from developing a slice to becoming more comfortable coming to the net and continuing to make her serve a greater weapon. However, she does not expect her to win the title this year.
Dokic, who would like to see Swiatek play a lead-in grasscourt tournament in future years, also said the Pole could learn from her idol Nadal’s progression on the surface.
“Nadal knew that to beat Roger [Federer], then after that it was Novak [Djokovic], he would have to flatten out his forehand on grass, and he started to really use the slice,” she said.
“He was someone, and he was honest about this, that didn’t know how to come to the net, but he’s gone from not just being able to come to the net, and transition to it, to being able to serve and volley in key moments.
“I think Iga’s going to have to do that as well. She’s amazing, but it’s so fascinating she’s a player who can still add things to her game, and be much better. That’s why people look at her and think she’s going to be one of the great champions.”
Swiatek wondered aloud after her latest Roland-Garros triumph whether she could spend some of her pre-season playing on a grasscourt.
One option in the improbable scenario she seriously contemplated that would be Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
“Last year’s [Wimbledon] result was pretty nice. I feel like every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass,” Swiatek said. “I just need to continue the work that I’ve been doing … but for sure, it’s a huge challenge.
“I think the biggest progress I can make on grass right now is using my serves better, but also I don’t expect a lot. The balls are different. Overall, tennis is different on grass. I’ll just see, and I’ll work hard to play better there.”
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