One year ago, the then number 1 in women's tennis, Australian Ashleigh Barty, shocked the tennis world by resigning at the age of 25 and at the top of her game.
Iga Świątek later shared that stepping into the world number 1 spot was a cause for considerable anxiety. Ashleigh Barty, on the other hand, expressed great admiration for Świątek's 37 match unbeaten run that followed - including six titles in a row.
Lech Sidor, former Polish number one and tennis commentator, has spoken to the Polish Press Agency about Iga Świątek's year. He says that Świątek's game has not changed much in that time but that she is mentally stronger today.
Sidor says there are no players currently who are able to "consistently beat" Świątek, but (partly for that reason) she has "not yet" reached the level of Serena Williams who at her peak could "pick and choose" which competitions to enter.
Sources: PAP, tennis365.com, sport.pl
pt