John McEnroe lamented how Ash Partey has retired Ladies’s tennis was robbed of a significant rivalry with Iga Swiatek, much like that when Bjorn Borg walked away from the game on the identical age. Barty introduced her retirement In March final yr, simply two months after he turned the primary Australian in 44 years to win the Australian Open.
Barty was ranked No. 1 on the earth on the time and appeared to dominate the game for years to return, however she walked away in her prime. Since then, Polish star Swiatek has captured the world primary rating and cemented her place as the subsequent dominant pressure in girls’s tennis.
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Followers will not get to see the years-long rivalry many had hoped for with Barty and Swattek. The pair have solely performed one another twice, with the Aussie popping out on high on each events. However each matches got here earlier than Swiatek actually hit her stride, which noticed her win 37 matches in a row in 2022.
“I feel when Ash Barty retired, it clearly brought about a shock as a result of this is a younger lady of 25 who’s gained Wimbledon, after which she’s gained the Australian Open and he or she thinks ‘Effectively, she’s going to the US Open subsequent yr and he or she’s simply A matter of time’,” McEnroe mentioned Eurosport.
“Clearly, I hope she’s comfortable, you by no means need to see somebody stroll away from that man as a result of then you definately’re like ‘what’s mistaken with the ladies’s recreation that participant #1 walked away from the sport at 25’? We had this drawback too as a result of my good friend And Bjorn Borg’s rivals have moved away and have not performed a significant position after 25 years. It’ll harm me, and harm my profession, I assume.”
McEnroe mentioned the missed alternative to pit Barty in opposition to Swiatek for years to return would harm the ladies’s recreation — and Swiatek’s profession. “Not having that competitor,” he mentioned, “I feel it hurts the game.”
“And there are the reason why we will not get in, there are loads of causes, not a single motive, and there’s additionally nobody for Ash Celebration, however hopefully everybody will have a look at issues to guarantee that these girls on the tour are taken care of to one of the best of their potential in order that they’re as comfy as potential.” in doing their job.”
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Seven-time Grand Slam champion McEnroe believes Switek is the participant to beat on the Australian Open and can add a number of majors to his tally. Nonetheless, he mentioned the 21-year-old may have to chop again on her schedule.
“I feel she’s now one of the best participant ever, she’s a terrific athlete, I do not suppose I’ve ever seen a younger lady slide into corners, it jogs my memory of Novak a bit,” he added. .
“So I might be shocked if she did not win at the very least two French Opens, and he or she realized to play exhausting courtroom, so there is not any doubt that she’s a favourite in each match she performs. She must be cautious together with her schedule, I do not suppose she’ll go on to win her 37 matches. simply as a lot as a result of it’s now evident that folks will search it extra, however I might be very shocked if it didn’t win one other set of majors.”
whereas, McEnroe won’t be on commentary on the Australian Open This yr after ESPN determined to not deliver him. The 63-year-old has been a mainstay within the commentary field at Melbourne Park for years, however in 2023 he will probably be lacking.
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