Navratilova backs Swiatek to end season with World Number One still in tact: "But it's a lot closer than it was this time last year"

Former world number one Martina Navratilova has backed Poland’s Iga Swiatek to finish the year as the top-ranked WTA player.

The 22-year-old is sitting at the top of the ladder in the WTA rankings for quite some time but the gap is now being closed with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus who is now just a tournament win away from dethroning her.

However, former great Navratilova was quoted in a report where she backed Swiatek to still finish the year as the number one player.

"Other than Coco Gauff, I think she’s the best mover, efficient and quick. I think she’s still the favorite to finish the year No.1 but, it’s a lot closer than it was this time last year,” she said.

The Warsaw-born will be looking to continue her good form after winning a WTA title on her home soil.

She will be defending her crown in the upcoming US Open as she won it the last year after defeating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-6.

Other than that, Swiatek has also won three French Open titles in her young career in 2020, 2022 and 2023.