"Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka deserve it more": Tennis fans vent at Iga Swiatek sealing WTA Player of the Year for second year in a row
WTA
Tennis fans
reacted to Iga Swiatek winning the 2023 Player of the Year award for the second
consecutive year, and many considered it unfair that she triumphed over
contenders like Coco Gauff or Aryna Sabalenka. The Polish player secured six
titles in the year, including her third French Open and the WTA Finals.
There were
five nominees for the WTA's Player of the Year, including the top four players
in the rankings: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina,
alongside the world No. 6 and Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova:
“2023
Player of the Year. World No.1 @iga_swiatek has been voted as the WTA Player of
the Year for the second year in a row! Winning a tour-leading six titles.”
Not all
fans agreed with Swiatek's award. The world No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka, was the
favorite for many, having reached the world No. 1 for the first time in her
career and achieving a remarkable 23-3 record in Grand Slam events, surpassing
Swiatek's 17-3 record.
Iga Swiatek's 2023 Tour Highlights:
Nevertheless,
the Polish player led several key statistics for the year. Not only did she
finish the year at the top of the rankings (which she reclaimed in the last
match of the year by winning the WTA Finals), but the four-time Grand Slam
champion also secured six titles in 8 finals, recorded 68 victories, 13 of
which were against top-10 players, and won 49.7% of returning games—leading in
all these categories.
Here are
some fan reactions:
“Terrible
decision, as bad as the holding the WTA final in the make shift outdoor court,
bad weathered, wrong geo location in cancun. Sabalenka is the semi final of all
4 slams, should be the player of the year. How many women player has ever done
that ?”
“R4
Australian open QF Wimbledon r4 US open. But ok.”
“Player of
the year but not the best slam results of the year….. nobody moved”
“Aryna
Sabalenka is the player of the year.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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