Women’s tennis will see a new world No 1 after Miami as Ash Barty confirms she will drop off rankings

Iga Swiatek is in pole position to replace Ash Barty at the top of the rankings after Miami with the Pole needing to win her first match this week to secure the No 1 ranking

Ash Barty smiles during her retirement announcement in Brisbane, Australia Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

March 24, 2022

Australia’s Ash Barty, who stunned the tennis world with her retirement announcement yesterday at the age of 25, has confirmed she will have her name removed from the WTA Tour rankings in the next update cycle.

The 25-year-old, who has a clear lead of more than 2,200 ranking points this week over her closest rival Iga Swiatek, has been No 1 in the world for 113 weeks in a row but women’s tennis will see a new player at the top of rankings after the conclusion of the Miami Open.

Ash Barty confirmed the news during a press conference in Brisbane where she met the media to discuss her retirement announcement and future plans.

Ashleigh Barty confirms that she’ll have her name removed from the @WTA rankings in the next rankings cycle.

There will be a new World No.1 on Monday after Miami.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 24, 2022

Swiatek or Badosa could become the 28th woman to become world No 1

Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who is on a 11-match winning streak having won two consecutive WTA 1000 events, is in the best place to take over as the world No 1.

If Swiatek wins her first match in Miami, she will earn 65 ranking points which will assure her of the top spot at the end of the Miami Open.

Ash Barty says she'll have herself removed from the rankings in the next cycle, post-Miami.

She's not aware of the scenarios for who could be the next #1 but says if it is Swiatek "there is no better person. She's an incredible person… I think she thoroughly deserves it…" pic.twitter.com/FFIc79oNzc
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) March 24, 2022

Paula Badosa will also have a chance to become world No 1 after Miami in case Swiatek does not win her first match but will need to win the title in Miami.

Whoever replaces Barty will become the 28th woman to become world No 1since the computer rankings were introduced in 1975.

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