For the first time in her career, Iga Swiatek has won the WTA Finals in Cancun. She defeated Jessica Pegula in the finals match, winning 6-1, 6-0. Iga Swiatek couldn’t help but be concerned about regaining the No. 1 title two months after losing it. “It’s hard not to think about stuff like that,” she explained.
Swiatek then realised it was better to push it aside and simply focus on playing her best tennis. And her best is now better than everyone else’s. Swiatek won her maiden WTA Finals title and the year-end No. 1 ranking on Monday, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-0 in the latest in a string of strong performances.
“Today was like a highlight of this mental [approach] — just being narrow with your head, only thinking about the right stuff,” said Swiatek, a 22-year-old from Poland who is the youngest WTA Finals champion since Petra Kvitova was 21 in 2011. Also read: Who is John McEnroe Wife? Know all about Patty Smyth
Swiatek dropped only 20 games entire week, setting a new record for the fewest games dropped on route to the WTA Finals victory since the format was changed to round-robin in 2003, breaking Serena Williams’ previous mark of 32 in 2012.
She also became the first player since Serena to win the event without dropping a set.
“She clearly really wanted that ranking,” Pegula said. “I mean, you could tell by the way she was competing here. … She was, like today, crushing people.” Swiatek extended her winning streak to 11 matches and improved to 68-11 in 2023 with six trophies, including her fourth career Grand Slam title at the French Open in June.
Swiatek’s triumph returns her to No. 1, a position she held from April 2022 until this September, when Aryna Sabalenka surpassed her after the US Open. Swiatek beat Sabalenka in a semifinal in Cancun. Also read: Jannik Sinner Withdraws From The Paris Masters, Following A Late-Night Win
Swiatek completed her season with six championships, including a Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros. And a WTA Finals trophy, a WTA 1000 title in Beijing, two WTA 500s in Doha and Stuttgart, and a WTA 250 win in Warsaw. She also finished with a 68-11 win-loss record, the greatest for a woman in a single season since Serena Williams had 78 in 2013.
The 22-year-old also finishes 2023 on an 11-match winning run, having won the title 6-0 in Beijing and 5-0 in Cancun. In the 11 matches, she only dropped one set.
“It just was one of those days where I felt like I was going for too much,” Pegula said. “And she was just playing super solid.”
When it ended, Swiatek dropped to her back, then sat up and yelled. Some spectators waved red-and-white Polish flags. During the trophy presentation, fans showered her with chants of “Iga!” Also read: Diane Parry Net Worth 2023, Prize Money, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Charities, Etc.
The doubles championship was won by Laura Siegemund of Germany and Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who defeated Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Ellen Perez of Australia 6-4, 6-4.
The singles and doubles final bouts were initially planned for Sunday, but were pushed back after a series of rains disrupted play. “It hasn’t been the easiest week,” Pegula told the crowd, “for any of us.” Also read: Aslan Karatsev Net Worth 2023, Prize Money, Endorsements, Cars, House & Properties Etc