Wimbledon 2022 has given a new slam champion: Elena Rybakina. The Kazakh tennis player, against all odds, made it all the way to the final and then beat the most favorite Ons Jabeur in three sets, winning her first career slam.
Although in recent months Iga Swiatek seemed to be unbeatable by winning match after match, women’s tennis proved once again unpredictable, giving us a new champion. Commenting on what has been happening in the last period in women’s tennis was former world number one Ashleigh Barty praised women’s tennis for the high level it has been in for a while to this part.
Ashleigh explained: “Iga Swiatek is an incredible talent, an exceptional person and a very kind girl. I love her and her team and I couldn’t be prouder that she has taken the number one spot because she plays the sport the right way and has so much energy and charisma.
The depth that exists in women’s tennis today is spectacular. We went from one or two dominant players to more unpredictability. Not because the WTA is weak. Indeed, it is because the circuit is very strong. Everyone who ranks in the top 40 or 50 in the world is so exceptional that they could very well all be in the top 10.”
Barty does not regret his retirement
Barty, who announced her retirement after winning the Australian Open, does not regret her choice: “I don’t regret anything. No regrets. I know it was the right time for me. That was what I wanted to do.
I know many don’t understand it yet, but I hope they respect it, because it was my decision. It was great. I’ve lived everything I wanted to live. This year I have not watched the Wimbledon final. Of course I was very happy for Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina, they are two fantastic girls, and it was also great to see Nick Kyrgios, who I have known for a long time, reach the final.
However, since I retired I have watched the same amount of games as when I was on the circuit, practically none. Occasionally yes, but I rarely sit on the sofa and watch a game from start to finish. I’ve hit enough balls in my life, I don’t need to watch others do the same.”
Barty explained what she misses in her new life: “I definitely miss seeing my teammates. We spent a lot of time together and suddenly I find myself living in a remote corner of the planet. However, retirement was a seamless transition.
Instead of spending several hours a day on the training tracks, I now have different routines. And since I knew it would come, I didn’t have to adapt too much.”
