‘Best Front-Runner Since Serena Williams’- Martina Navratilova Makes No Qualms About Announcing Iga Swiatek’s Talent to the World

Former WTA legend Martina Navratilova dropped a beautiful comment for this year’s Indian Wells title winner, Iga Swiatek. Swiatek impressed the tennis fraternity by presenting an amazing fight against Maria Sakkari at the finals of the prestigious BNP Paribas Open 2024. Now that Swiatek bagged her victory at the tournament, the Czech-Republican legend compared her to one of the most successful former tennis players of the world, Serena Williams.

The Polish tennis prodigy already stole the limelight with her countless achievements in her professional tennis career. This season along with the Indian Wells title, Swiatek became a third runner-up after being defeated by Linda Noskova. Not to forget her recent victory at the Qatar Open. However, Swiatek didn’t let the loss impact her mental state and improvised for the Indian Wells. Recognizing Swiatek’s dedication, Navratilova penned a beautiful comment for the WTA star.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova compared Iga Swaitek to Serena Williams by calling the former “best front-runner”

Recently, a reliable tennis source dropped a clip where Martina Navratilova was spotted complementing Poland’s Iga Swiatek after she won her Indian Wells title this season. Navratilova not only compared Swiatek’s brilliance to Olympic gold-medalist tennis star Serena Williams, she also highlighted the WTA star’s skills.

Martina Navratilova commented- “Iga might not be the quickest player out there but she’s the most complete player out there and it really shows up on slow courts like this, She is a fantastic player and is the best front-runner we have had in the game since Serena Williams. Also, she can get better. Her serve can improve so watch out.”

However, it is not the first time that the WTA legend praised the world’s number-one tennis star. Back in 2022, Navratilova called Swiatek her “overwhelming favorite” tennis candidate during the French Open tournament.

Navratilova said- “You can’t be any hotter than she is right now. She’s playing great and she’s healthy that’s a fantastic combination. She’s fresh and battle-tough at the same time, She looks pretty unbeatable on any surface, particularly the clay now. So we have an overwhelming favourite going into the French, when it was wide open last year. Clearly, the pressure is not bothering her. She’s just embracing that. It’s great to see when you are the favourite, and you keep on winning,”

Now that fans have read about Navratilova’s amazing compliment for Swiatek, let’s delve deeper into how this Polish tennis prodigy bagged the compliment from Navratilova.

How did Iga Swiatek take over Maria Sakkari to win her Indian Wells 2024 trophy?

The Polish tennis prodigy defeated Maria Sakkari by 6-4 and 6-0 within 69 minutes. After winning the Qatar Open, this is Swiuatek’s second title this season. It also marks her 19th career title at the age of twenty-two. Post victory, Swiatek seemed very happy and relaxed as she said- “It’s an amazing thing to be standing here again, Thank you for really making this feel like home.” Sakkari on the other hand, accepted her flaws with a humble gesture.

She said- “I’m sorry I couldn’t put up a better fight, It was pretty quick for you guys but credit to Iga. You’re an amazing player, a very good person and an incredible champion. You really do deserve the best. You and your team have created something incredible. I’m really hoping we can play a lot more finals.”

Martina Navratilova’s praise for Iga Swiatek represented the latter’s potential in professional tennis. It also brought more expectation for Swiatek fans to see the tennis star ruling the top position for more years.

Read more: Indian Wells 2024: Caroline Wozniacki vs Iga Świątek Preview; Head-to-Head, and Prediction