Cancun, Mexico – Iga Swiatek displayed her mastery on the court as she dominated American Jessica Pegula, securing a resounding 6-1, 6-0 victory to claim the season-ending WTA Finals championship in Cancun on Monday. This victory also catapulted Swiatek back to her world number one ranking, taking it from Aryna Sabalenka.
Swiatek, the talented Pole, broke Pegula’s serve five times and embarked on an impressive 11-game winning streak, culminating in a swift and decisive victory that lasted just 59 minutes. The match had been delayed by a day due to adverse weather conditions, but it didn’t deter Swiatek’s incredible performance.
During the trophy ceremony, an elated Swiatek expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank my team who have been with me for the whole season. We’ve had many ups and downs, but this is, for sure, an up, and we’ll have many more if we keep working like that.”
She went on to thank the loyal fans who endured numerous rain delays and gusty winds throughout the event in the coastal Mexican resort town. “Thank you guys for coming and cheering for us; you really made it special,” Swiatek said. “Thank you for all these Polish flags and Polish people who are coming to every tournament and those from many countries. Every year I feel like I have more and more support.”
Swiatek entered the tournament in exceptional form, having won the China Open last month, and she continued to shine by not dropping a single set in her five matches at the WTA Finals, which featured the top eight players in the world.
This victory marks Swiatek’s 11th consecutive win, and she is set to end the year in the top-ranking position for the second consecutive year, having briefly surrendered it to Sabalenka following the U.S. Open.
The 22-year-old Swiatek has enjoyed a remarkable season, clinching six of her total 17 career titles this year. She notably defended her French Open title in June, securing her fourth Grand Slam trophy.
Jessica Pegula, aged 29, graciously accepted defeat, acknowledging Swiatek’s achievement by saying, “Congrats on ending the year number one and winning this tournament; it’s really incredible. You continue to push me to be a better player, and I appreciate that aspect of it. I wish I could have done better today, but that’s not how it goes sometimes.”
Controversy Surrounds WTA Finals
Swiatek’s victory concludes a WTA Finals marred by controversy, as players voiced their criticism of the event’s organization and venue selection. Cancun was named as the location for the $9 million Finals less than two months before it began, with court construction only completed the weekend before the event started on October 29.
Aryna Sabalenka, in particular, was vocal in her criticism, expressing her displeasure over court conditions and feeling “disrespected” by the WTA at this prestigious event. In a leaked letter to the players, WTA chief Steve Simon cited “a number of complicated factors” for the late selection of Cancun as the tournament host.
