Iga Swiatek crowned Player of the Year at WTA Awards 2023

Published at :December 12, 2023 at 8:14 AM

Modified at :December 30, 2023 at 7:22 PM

(Courtesy : Outlook India)

The Polish sensation won the prestigious award for a second consecutive season.

Iga Swiatek has been crowned as the WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season at the WTA Awards 2023, capping off a remarkable year that saw her win six titles, including her second Roland Garros crown and her maiden WTA Finals trophy.

The 22-year-old from Warsaw became the first player to win the prestigious award in back-to-back seasons since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2016, and only the sixth player in history to do so, joining Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams in an elite club.

Swiatek’s dominance was evident from the start of the season, as she defended her Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, dropping only one set en route to the title. She then went on to win the WTA 1000 China Open, where she defeated Liudmila Dmitrievna Samsonova in the final, and the WTA 500 events at the Qatar Open and Stuttgart, showcasing her versatility on different surfaces.

Swiatek thrilled the Polish crowd by capturing the WTA 250 BNP Paribas Warsaw Open, her first title on home soil. She then completed a flawless run at the WTA Finals Cancun, where she overcame Jessica Pegula in the final. With her maiden WTA Finals trophy, she also clinched the year-end No.1 singles ranking for the second straight season.

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Swiatek’s success was built on her powerful and aggressive game, which combined heavy groundstrokes, precise angles, and deft touch. She also displayed remarkable mental strength and resilience, overcoming tough opponents and challenging situations with ease.

The WTA Awards 2023 also honored the achievements of other outstanding players in the women’s tennis circuit. The Doubles Team of the Year award went to Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens, who formed a formidable partnership in their first season together, winning two WTA 1000 titles in Rome and Guadalajara, and reaching the final at Wimbledon.

The Most Improved Player of the Year award was given to Zheng Qinwen, who made a remarkable rise capturing two titles in Palermo and Zhengzhou and making her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open.

The Newcomer of the Year award was bestowed upon Mirra Andreeva, who emerged as a star of the future, jumping from No.405 to No.46 in the rankings, reaching the Australian Open girls’ final and the Madrid Open Round of 16 at the age of 16.

The Comeback Player of the Year award was given to Elina Svitolina, who made a successful return to the tour after giving birth to her daughter, winning the Strasbourg title and reaching the Wimbledon semifinal.

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