Iga Świątek reclaims top spot in WTA rankings with dominant victory over Jessica Pegula in WTA Finals championship
Iga Świątek storms to victory against Jessica Pegula, reclaiming world No 1 spot in a commanding display at the WTA Finals
Iga Świątek effortlessly defeated Jessica Pegula in the WTA Finals, reclaiming her position at the pinnacle of the global rankings. The 22-year-old triumphed in straight sets, with a commanding scoreline of 6-1 6-0. She accomplished this feat in less than an hour, despite the final being delayed by rain in Cancún, Mexico.
Swiatek expressed her delight at reclaiming the world No. 1 spot, describing it as a dream come true during the post-match interview after securing her first WTA Finals championship.
"I didn't anticipate this happening in the current season. I had hoped that perhaps next year would be my year, but it appears that by working hard and concentrating on the necessary aspects, things fell into place. Consequently, I am extremely delighted."
Following her defeat in the round of 16 at the US Open, ÅwiÄ tek has emerged victorious in 12 out of the 13 matches she has played, securing titles at both the China Open and now Cancún.
Dominant final
ÅwiÄ tek was unbeaten at the $9 million end-of-year championships - underlining her current dominance in the sport - with Pegula failing to make a dent in the Poles game.
Swiatek expressed gratitude to her team for their unwavering support throughout the entire season during the trophy ceremony. She acknowledged the rollercoaster of experiences they had gone through but considered this victory as a significant positive outcome. Swiatek believed that they would continue to achieve even greater success by maintaining their hard work and dedication.
Jessica Pegula was unable to match ÅwiÄ tek's quality in the final.
In this year's WTA Finals, both women were unbeaten in sets. However, Świątek swiftly altered the course of the final by racing ahead and securing the first set in a mere 27 minutes, leaving her opponent trailing behind.
The second set proved even bleaker for Pegula, with the world No. 5 failing to win a single game.
"She played really solid," said Pegula after the final.
I perceived her to be exerting excessive pressure on me, and it seemed that I was being overly ambitious throughout the day. I am unsure of the reason behind this.
It was simply one of those days where I felt compelled to strive for more than I could handle.
Controversial tournament
The final had originally been scheduled for Sunday, but poor weather meant the match was pushed back a day.
It capped off a controversial WTA Finals, with players unhappy with the organisation of the event, run by the Womens Tennis Association (WTA).
Caroline Garcia celebrates winning the WTA Finals in 2022.
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Complaints were raised by several stars during the tournament, with Sabalenka being the first to express her dissatisfaction. She claimed to feel "disrespected" due to the subpar organization and the inadequate safety measures on the courts.
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova expressed to Amazon Prime her belief that it may be the appropriate moment for fresh leadership to lead the WTA, as the organization's chief, Steve Simon, faces mounting pressure.
Leaked to Sports Illustrated, Simon's open letter to the players states that the choice to designate Cancún as the host location was made after considering various intricate factors.
The letter acknowledged, "We recognize your dissatisfaction with the decision to come to Cancun. We fully comprehend the difficulties posed by the current conditions and the WTA takes ownership of the situation."
Despite its imperfections, the tournament held a significant meaning for ÅwiÄ tek, a four-time grand slam champion.
Expressing gratitude, she acknowledged her Mexican fans for braving the stormy conditions and unwaveringly supporting her throughout her career.
"Thank you all for joining us today and showing your support. Your presence truly made this moment memorable. I extend my gratitude to those who waved the Polish flags, as well as the Polish community and fans from various countries who have consistently attended our tournaments," expressed ÅwiÄ tek in her triumphant speech.
"With each passing year, I feel an increasing level of support, which serves as a constant motivation for me to continue striving for greater achievements."
