© Getty Images Sport – Brendon Thorne
Former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber acknowledges Iga Swiatek has been the best player in the game over the last few years and added she is interested in seeing if the Pole could potentially reach the Serena Williams heights.
Swiatek, who will be turning 23 in May, is already a four-time Grand Slam champion and she spent 75 consecutive weeks at the world No. 1 spot in her first stint. Going into this year’s Australian Open, Swiatek is regarded as one of the top favorites for the title and this week he entered her 85th week at the top spot.
Williams, a former 23-time Grand Slam champion, also enjoyed major Grand Slam success early. Over the years, there were great champions in women’s tennis but no one came close to reaching Williams’ numbers.
Already in 2022 – the year in which Swiatek put up one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory – some were remarking that the Pole’s dominance from that season was reminding of the one Williams had during her prime years.
Kerber: Let’s see if Swiatek can be as good as Williams
“Serena plays a completely different game than Iga. Of course, Iga has played her best tennis over the last few years. She has been on the top for years now. It is a tough opponent. I know her also very well off the court. Yeah, I mean, she’s only 22, 21. She has a lot of years ahead,” Kerber said of Swiatek.
“I’m also looking forward to how she will go in the next few years, how good she can be in the next years, like Serena maybe. I mean, we will see.”
Meanwhile, three-time Grand Slam champion Kerber met Swiatek for the second time at the United Cup last week. After losing to Swiatek in 2022 Indian Wells, Kerber suffered another loss to the Pole at the United Cup as the 22-year-old saw off the German 6-3 6-0.
Now, Kerber could potentially meet Swiatek again at the Australian Open. If Kerber beats Danielle Collins in her opener and Swiatek defeats Sofia Kenin, the two would meet in the second round at Melbourne Park.
