The Pole is always striving for better. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday March 21, 2022
Iga Swiatek becomes the World No.2 on Monday, thanks to an 11-match winning streak that took her through titles at Doha and Indian Wells. 20-year-old Swiatek is not satisfied with that accomplishment, however.
The Pole, who defeated Maria Sakkari, 6-4, 6-1, in Sunday’s BNP Paribas Open final, says she would like to sit atop the WTA’s rankings one day.
“I mean, it's pretty surreal for now. I have to look at it and I have to check the rankings by myself and, I don't know, just see it,” Swiatek said if becoming the second Polish player to ever rise to No.2, along with Agnieszka Radwanska.
😱Speechless…
😱Brak słów…@BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/9UkompkMMm— Iga ÅšwiÄ…tek (@iga_swiatek) March 20, 2022
Swiatek, who says she tried hard not to think about her ranking during the week at Indian Wells – she was solely focused on her tennis – is 2204 points behind current No.1 Ash Barty in the rankings. Sounds like a perfect target for the rising talent.
“Right now it's too surreal to describe it, honestly. But for sure I want to go higher because I feel like getting the No. 1 is closer and closer,” she said. “For sure, Ash [Barty] is one of the players that I want to look at. I don't know. It's going to be a pretty cool experience to actually compete against her because I think she's, like, one of the most complete players on tour. She has shown her mental strength. I think it's going to be really exciting.”