World number one Iga Swiatek has paid tribute to reigning Australian Open champion Ash Barty, crediting her with motivating the women’s Tour to improve.
Swiatek prevailed in two tight sets against big-hitting German Jule Niemeier on Monday night, with the 21-year-old aiming for her second consecutive grand slam and fourth overall.
The Pole took her place atop the rankings after Barty’s shock retirement last year, but credited the Australian for her role in making Swiatek a better player.
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“Last year when I lost to her in Adelaide, I was like ‘I have to do everything to learn how to get back this slice and cope with the change of rhythm’,” she said post-match.
“For the next few months, I was really, really motivated. I‘m really grateful for that.
“I know she didn’t do anything to make it happen. Her tennis is amazing and she really pushed us to our limits and she still kind of won easily.
“She’s just a huge inspiration and the way she behaves, she’s so classy.”
Barty, level on Swiatek on three major titles, is now mentoring Olivia Gadecki, with the fellow Australian winning on her grand slam debut on Monday, securing passage to the second round.
Swiatek and Barty met just twice in their professional careers, with Barty winning both encounters in straight sets.
“It just seemed like she really enjoys competing and like, having a challenge which I really admire because sometimes for me, a challenge is something that I tend to get nervous before so I really wanted to kind of have this mindset and she really inspired me to work on myself,” Swiatek said.
