Iga Świątek Prepares for WTA finals, Reflects on Season and Personal Life
The WTA season is drawing to a close, but the competition will culminate in a powerful finale – the WTA finals, scheduled for November 1-8 in Riyadh. Seven players have already qualified for the prestigious tournament: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Jasmine Paolini. The final qualifying spot remains contested between Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva.
Świątek, a consistent competitor in the season-ending event since 2021, previously secured the title in cancun two years ago, propelling her back to the world No. 1 ranking. While dethroning Sabalenka this time around appears unlikely, the Polish star enters the competition carrying significant emotional weight, as she revealed in a recent interview with the official WTA channel.
“I am lucky as I have had the prospect to play in the WTA Finals many times,” Świątek stated. “I am extremely proud of myself. It gives me a lot of satisfaction that I have been in the TOP 10 of the ranking almost from the very beginning. And I hope to continue doing so.”
Looking back on her season, Świątek highlighted her Wimbledon triumph as a defining moment.”Of course,I had many ups and downs,” she explained. “The first part of the season was treacherous for me.I played in many semi-finals but didn’t win any titles. Conversely, I won Wimbledon, which is twice as vital to me than winning any other tournament. So I think that I will consider this season a success, but I will probably sum it up at the very end, after the WTA Finals.”
Beyond the court, Świątek offered a glimpse into her personal life, discussing her relationships with family and friends. She described how her family, as she is the youngest child, sometimes still views her through that lens.”My family? I am the youngest child. So sometimes I feel like they still treat me that way. But I think they consider me an individual and a person who has chosen my own path,” she confessed.
Her friendships,she noted,provide a welcome escape from the pressures of professional tennis. “The best thing about them is that they don’t think of me as a tennis player. For them, I am just their friend and a good person. At least I hope so. I try to be like that,” Świątek admitted with a smile.
The 24-year-old also acknowledged the importance of her fans, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support.”Fans? I hope they like me and enjoy my tennis. I also hope that they think of me as someone who is honest, because that’s how I try to behave.I really appreciate their support and think of them in the best way possible,” she said.
Despite her success and public persona, Świątek admitted to moments of exhaustion with the demands of her career. “Iga Świątek: Sometimes I’m fed up with everything related to tennis,” a sentiment that underscores the challenges faced by even the most accomplished athletes.
As she prepares for the WTA Finals, Iga Świątek em
