"This year it feels like now it's kind of starting": Iga Swiatek looks to learn lessons from Sabalenka semi-final loss previously in WTA Finals
WTA
Iga Swiatek
previewed her semifinal match at the WTA Finals against Aryna Sabalenka and
compared it to her loss last year.
The Polish
tennis player has been showcasing great form since losing the world No. 1
ranking to Sabalenka after failing to defend her US Open title, and the
Belarusian reached the final.
Swiatek has
won 9 consecutive matches, including her performance at the WTA 1000 China Open
and her victories in the round-robin stage of the Finals. She enters the match
against Sabalenka with a chance to finish the year as the world No. 1. To
achieve this, she must first stop the world No. 1 who advanced to the
semifinals as the second-placed player in her group.
Swiatek
addressed the challenging conditions that the players have experienced in
Cancun, citing constant match interruptions due to rain and strong winds that
have made it difficult to control the ball. She anticipated a tough encounter.
“I’ll see
what the conditions are gonna be like. Against Aryna, it’s never easy. I’m just
gonna do my best & focus on myself & what I wanna do on court. We
usually have these matches that are exciting & really tough, both mentally
& physically,” she said.
“I’m just
gonna be ready & see what the wind is gonna look like & what’s gonna
happen on court… This time I will use my experience of being in the WTA Finals.
Last year when I got out of my group, it felt like I was almost at the end of
the tournament & I felt really proud of myself that I just got out of the
group,” Swiatek added.
“This year
it feels like now it’s kind of starting. So it’s a bit different & I for
sure learned my lesson. The conditions here are so tough that usually you just
have to focus on that. Tactically, I’m gonna prepare. We know our games. We
know kind of what it will look like. But we also have to figure something out
because we’ve played each other so many times. So we’ll see,” world No. 2
concluded.
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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