© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Martina Navratilova thinks Iga Swiatek is “better than anybody” on the WTA Tour when the Pole is feeling healthy and playing her best tennis. After an unbelievably dominant 2022 season, Swiatek experienced ups and downs in 2023.
Following a very disappointing US Open round-of-16 loss and also losing the world No 1 spot to Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek appeared to be low on confidence and doubting her game. Just when it seemed Swiatek was losing the WTA throne, the 22-year-old bounced back by winning a WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing in mid-October.
Also, Swiatek won her first WTA Finals title after going 5-0 in Cancun. By beating Sabalenka in the Cancun semifinal and then collecting the WTA Finals, Swiatek returned to the world No 1 spot and beat out the Belarusian for the Year-End No 1 spot.
Navratilova: At her best, Swiatek is better than anybody
“That was Iga showing that, at her best, she is better than anybody. I mean, in difficult conditions, she just blew right through everybody. She gets into the points better and knows how to close the deal.
I’ll be honest … a few weeks ago, based on what I was seeing, I didn’t think she’d finish 2024 at No 1…
