Sports journalists from across 113 countries around the world had
their say in choosing the athletes who were selected as part of the
awards instituted by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and they voted Williams and Osaka in front of Swiatek.
A curious situation happened at the AIPS awards where
Iga Swiatek failed to earn enough votes to be featured in the top 10 for the Athlete of the Year Award. Spanish footballer Alexia Putella finished first in the voting as the top 10 featured three tennis players. One would assume that Swiatek would be one of them but that's not the case.
The Polish superstar who posted one of the best seasons in recent memory did not get enough votes to be featured in the top 10. In itself, that's not so much problematic but Osaka, Williams and Jabeur all finishing in the top 10 and by extension in front of her is rather problematic. The vote was done by sports reporters which makes it even more embarrassing.
Apparently, Osaka posting a 14-9 record with no trophies is considered superior over winning 60+ matches and multiple events including two grand slams which was done by Swiatek. They actually played this year and Swiatek won 6-4 6-0. Williams' case is even more laughable as she posted a 3-4 record overall.
The only player remotely deserving of the list is Jabeur with an impressive year overall but even hers pales compared to Swiatek.