Iga Swiatek - A conciliatory end even without a dream finish
Iga Swiatek failed to crown the season with a title at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth. Nevertheless, the Pole is happy - in no small part because a long, intense season is over.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 08, 2022, 04:50 pm
The fact that Iga Swiatek deliberately refrains from competing in a WTA 1000 event may seem irritating at first glance. Especially since the Pole was able to win four titles at this level in the 2022 season, which ended for her since Monday morning (CET). A not insignificant reason why Swiatek is currently the superior leader in the world rankings for women. 67 wins with only 9 defeats are another indication of a great season for the world number ones - which is only sweetened by two Grand Slam titles. However, the cancellation of the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara was a striking indication that the tanks are slowly but surely empty after a long, intense 2022 season.
On Monday (CET) in Fort Worth, however, the Pole failed to finally refine the 2022 season by winning the title in the annual finals of the best eight players in Fort Worth. After a flawless group phase, the world number one had to admit defeat to Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, who was at least as surprising. Which now lost in the final against surprise woman Caroline Garcia from France.
Swiatek is happy that the season is over
Although the disappointment after the defeat was obviously visible to the Pole, the Pole's real feelings on Monday were still quite ambivalent: "I won't lie to you, I've been waiting for this moment. It was quite difficult last week because that goal was so close, but I had to be fully motivated and ready for every game," explained Swiatek after the elimination against Sabalenka.
"On the one hand I'm sad that I lost, but on the other hand I have one more day off. That's a positive thing. This season has been very intense and I'm very proud of myself for playing so well until the end. I'm glad it's over now," emphasized the Pole. Who will skip the Billie Jean King Cup to have more time to prepare for the 2023 season. Which will not only start in less than two Mondays, but will also have Swiatek ready to attack his first title win at the Australian Open in January.