“There is no better person,” Barty is quoted in Tennis World USA, in response to Świątek levelling up. “She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player. The way that she’s brought this fresh, fearless energy on to the court has been incredible.”
Świątek revealed to the press that she was unaware a retiring player could actually request for their name to be taken off rankings following retirement. “I was really emotional,” Świątek revealed via WTA Tennis, admitting that she was “crying for a long time” upon hearing about Barty’s retirement.
Set to be the next No 1, Świątek, currently at No 2, told the press: “Actually after Indian Wells it became my goal. It’s pretty weird for it to be my goal for two days and it may actually happen that quick.”
Świątek secured her spot following significant wins at the ongoing Miami Open.
Awaiting her official No 1 standing come Monday, April 4, we dig into Świątek’s career highs and the fun titbits to know about the Polish top seed.
Rise to the top
The 20-year-old’s father, Olympic rower Tomasz Świątek, was set on making his daughter a competitive athlete. Świątek attempted swimming before switching to tennis. In 2016, she turned pro and has been making a great impression since.
Świątek went undefeated in seven ITF finals before qualifying for the WTA tours in 2019. She played her first main draw at the 2019 Australian Open. In 2020, then ranked No 54, Świątek won the Roland Garros title, her first WTA title ever, and at only 19 years old. She was also named the WTA Fan Favourite Singles Player of the Year.
The year so far has been amazing for Świątek, having won at the Qatar Open and at the Indian Wells Open, bringing her to the No 2 spot.
To date, Świątek’s career prize money is estimated to about US$7.2 million, according to the WTA. First Sportz estimates her net worth to be US$10 million, accumulated from winnings and endorsements under her name, including Asics, Xiaomi and luxury brands Rolex and Toyota Lexus.
The biggest Rafael Nadal fan?
She also shared her dream of putting up a foundation similar to Nadal’s, and hopes to provide tennis scholarships to young Pole athletes.
Earlier this year at the Australian Open 2022, where Nadal and Barty were hailed champions, Świątek was caught on television among the audience, reacting positively to Nadal’s play.
She later on revealed that her idol sent her words of encouragement following her loss. Świątek is quoted on GiveMeSport.com: “Rafa emphasised that I played a great tournament, that I had a great start to the season, and that I should focus on the next steps, because I am going in the right direction.” Nadal’s message then motivated the young athlete to get back on court and work harder.
Impressive sportsmanship
Like the legendary Nadal, Świątek displays class on court. She has never shown unsportsmanlike behaviour such as smashing rackets. In fact, she actually throws it up in the air (safely!) out of sheer joy every time she wins big.
In her recent games, Świątek has often spoken openly of her emotions. “I cry when I lose and I cry when I win!” an emotional Świątek said, after reaching her first Australian Open quarter final this year.
In a BBC story, Świątek wrote: “Some people have the mentality that it is not good to show emotions but I have the opposite view. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn’t, that’s true, but you have to understand what is needed in the moment.”
Świątek has previously struggled making a comeback after losing opening sets, but her mental strength has helped her pull through – a feat the tennis star is proud of. Always ready to do the work in the name of improving herself and her game on all fronts, Świątek is determined to play aggressive tennis this year – and we’re definitely seeing the results.
