Swiatek Ends 2024 Season With 'Huge Satisfaction' Despite 'Not Being Superhero'

Saturday, 23 November 2024 at 11:27

byErik Virostko

Iga Swiatek's 2024 season is over, and even though it was not the most successful season in her career, she ended it with "huge satisfaction."

The 23-year-old Polish player started the 2024 season as the World No. 1 player on the WTA Tour, and she was the World No. 1 player for the vast majority of the season.

In total, she extended her overall stay as the top-ranked player to 125 weeks, with her second stint at the top position lasting a total of 75. That was until Aryna Sabalenka overtook her prior to the WTA Finals.

The Belarusian player was then able to hold that spot at the WTA Finals despite also failing to win the trophy, which meant that she finished the year as the year-end No. 1 player for the first time in her career.

Swiatek, on the other hand, has the No. 2 next to her name, which is something she might not be used to. She also ended the 2024 season with the fewest titles and match wins since 2021, which was the last season before she started her domination on the WTA Tour.

Of course, Swiatek's 2024 season was also marked with a large break during the Asian swing, as she missed all of the tournaments in China, which meant a missed opportunity to retain her World No. 1 rank and add more match wins and titles.

Still, she again couldn't add another major outside of the French Open, and critics would be right to say that it wasn't the most successful season in her career, despite dominating during the clay-court part of the season and winning the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, and the Roland Garros back-to-back-to-back.

Now, with her season officially over, the five-time major winner looked back on the season, thanking herself and her team, which changed with the departure of Tomasz Wiktorowski and the arrival of Wim Fissette for the work done this year.

"Thanks for this season. First and foremost I’m thanking myself and my team because it was another extraordinary year."

Swiatek also accepted that she was not a superhero, something she learned to live with this year. This season helped her to more appreciate her achievements, which she also reflected on.

"It was the season of not being a superhero and accepting it, facing new challenges, grinding, hard work, appreciating milestones, and unlocking new achievements."

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Despite missing out on some achievements and titles, Swiatek still ended the 2024 season satisfied. She was happy with what she showed on the tennis courts, and that's the most important part.

"But what’s fundamental, I finish this year with huge satisfaction and pride of my grit, strength, and everything that I’ve done and achieved, which says more than any words."

Now, the Polish player wants to properly rest, as she was one of the loudest voices when criticizing the schedule this year. She was also one of the most punished players, as she lost plenty of points because of failing to meet the quota for attending mandatory WTA 500 tournaments.

"It’s time to rest and reset. My body and mind need that. Thank you to every kind and supportive human being who is by my side in this journey. See you soon."

In 2025, Swiatek will start her season at the United Cup, representing Poland alongside Hubert Hurkacz once again. Poland's first two ties should be against Norway and the Czech Republic, with Swiatek's most likely opponents being Malene Helgo and Karolina Muchova.