Iga Swiatek thanks fans, “amazing women” on WTA tour following Finals victory

“The best things happen to us when... we stop chasing them.”

Iga Swiatek dispelled the notion of “defending” after her shock exit at the 2023 US Open and promptly went on attack, winning her last 11 matches of the season to assure herself a second straight year-end No. 1 and first WTA Finals victory.

“What a season that was...” Swiatek wrote in a message posted to social media on Tuesday. “I saw, did and learned so much. Before I'll start my much-needed vacation, I would like to leave here some words of appreciation, gratitude and some thoughts.”

The 22-year-old had felt immense pressure to live up to the breakthrough season she had enjoyed in 2022, one that saw her capture two major titles and become world No. 1 for the first time. Despite not quite matching the high mark she set last season, few would argue that Swiatek didn’t come as close as possible, winning a third title at Roland Garros and scoring back-to-back victories at the China Open and GNP Seguros WTA Finals—her first season-ending championship victory—to reclaim the No. 1 ranking Aryna Sabalenka.

Swiatek blitzed Sabalenka in a command semifinal performance and was even more emphatic in the final against Jessica Pegula, dropping just one game.

“I would like to thank my team,” continues Swiatek in a message written in both English and Polish. “I wouldn't be in this place without you. I want to thank everyone who supports me every day through the ups and downs of every season.”

The resurgent No. 1 concluded by thanking “the amazing women I compete with on tour,” a pointed message given the strife expressed by many of her Top 8 rivals surrounding the organization and last-minute construction of the stadium court in Cancun.

“Thanks to you, I constantly want to be a better player. Every one of us has our own story and we can tell those stories together through our sport. I'm grateful for you and for this opportunity.”

Swiatek signs off to commence her off-season—and likely catch up on a few vacation reads—while the field finds itself in a familiar position as they ponder how best to contend with the top-ranked woman on the attack.