Ashleigh Barty to be removed from WTA rankings next week, Iga Swiatek & Paula Badosa have a shot at becoming World No. 1 in Miami

Ashleigh Barty announced her retirement on Wednesday, a news story that took the entire tennis fraternity by storm. Having been World No. 1 for a total of 120 weeks, the 25-year-old retired just two months after winning the 2022 Australian Open in front of her home fans.

It was initially uncertain whether she would be removed from the WTA rankings following her retirement, similar to what happened to Justine Henin after her retirement in 2008. It has now been confirmed that the Australian has indeed made an official request to the association to take her name off the ranking list.

The WTA tour will therefore have a new World No. 1 once the Miami Open ends on 3 April. Both Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa have a shot at claiming the position this week, which would make them the 28th player to achieve the feat as well as the first in more than two years.

While Swiatek will be assured of the top spot just by winning her opener against Viktorija Golubic, Badosa will have to win the event and hope Swiatek falters in the second round.

"There is no better person, I think she thoroughly deserves it and I hope she can take it" - Ashleigh Barty on the possibility of Iga Swiatek becoming World No. 1

Ashleigh Barty fully endorsed the prospect of Iga Swiatek becoming the new World No. 1after her

In a conversation with National News reporter Reem Abulleil at a recent press conference, Ashleigh Barty remarked that she was not fully aware of the scenarios for who could become World No. 1 after her. But if it happens to be Iga Swiatek, the three-time Grand Slam champion revealed that she would be elated as there was "no better person" to take the mantle from her.

Hailing the Pole as an "incredible" person who brings a much-needed fearless energy onto the court, Barty stated that she had always enjoyed their brief time together on the tour.

"There is no better person [to be the new World No. 1]. She's an incredible person, a great tennis player and the way she's brought this fresh fearless energy onto the court has been incredible," Barty said. "I loved testing myself against her, I love playing her, I love practicing with her and spending time with her team."

The 25-year-old further added that the World No. 2 was one of the first people to message her following her announcement.

More importantly, Ashleigh Barty hopes that the former Roland Garros champion can still be herself after becoming World No. 1 and go about things in her own way.

"She's a brilliant person and was one of the first to message me, which is really nice," Barty said. "I think she thoroughly deserves it and I hope that she can take it and still be her, doing her own way and really chase what she's after in her career and her dreams."