"Sabalenka really hurt her this year" says Patrick Mouratoglou on dent in Iga Swiatek's dominance despite WTA Finals win

Patrick Mouratoglou analyzed on his Instagram channel Iga Swiatek's outstanding year in 2023 and Aryna Sabalenka's progress in dethroning her as the world No. 1 a few months ago.

The Polish player has been the most consistent tennis player in the WTA for the last two years, which is why she finished as the world No. 1 for the second consecutive year. Despite losing the position to Sabalenka after the US Open, Swiatek was able to reclaim the top spot just before the end of the year with her title at the WTA Finals, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final with a dominant 6-1, 6-0.

French coach Patrick Mouratoglou commented on Swiatek's successful year, in which she secured her fourth Grand Slam at the French Open.

“Iga one more time ends the year as No 1 in the world, so we can talk about dominance,” Mouratoglou explains.

“Of course, there is less room between her and the other players. This year, we have to realise that Sabalenka did an incredible job. She improved a lot. She is very dangerous, and she threatened Iga a lot.”

“She [Swiatek] lost to Coco before the US Open. Of course it played a role, because it hurt her confidence.”

“I feel that Iga is someone who has a lot of doubts. But she takes doubts away with work, and work brings victories. But when she starts to be threatened, when she starts to be beaten a few times, its affects her confidence a lot,” former Serena Williams coach added.

“That’s why this year was more difficult, because Sabalenka really hurt her this year. It hurt her confidence a little bit, compared to last year when she was so dominant.”

“She [Swiatek] still ends the season with a Slam and the WTA Finals win, and being No 1 in the world, so I think we can still talk about dominance.

“But it’s not as much as before. Now, the other players feel they can beat her. The year before, not so much.”

“Her No 1 quality is her focus and her ability to produce every day the same quality.

“She is someone who is extremely professional, extremely dedicated to tennis and focused on her career.

“She works on everything… she works on every aspect of her game with the same intensity and the same quality.”