(VIDEO) "You continue to push me": Jessica Pegula congratulates Iga Swiatek after 2023 WTA Finals defeat

Jessica Pegula praised Iga Swiatek after their clash in Cancun at the 2023 WTA Finals which saw the latter win the tournament and re-claim World No. 1.

The American player had a hugely successful run at the 2023 WTA Finals, defeating all of her Group Stage opponents before ousting Coco Gauff in the semi-final without dropping a set. Therefore, Pegula had many reasons to be confident heading into the final, despite the fact that her opponent was four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek.

However, Pegula ended up losing the match 1-6, 0-6, and had to settle for runner-up at the prestigious season-ending championship. Meanwhile, her opponent won her first WTA Finals title and secured her spot as year-end No. 1 for the second consecutive year.

At the awards ceremony, the 29-year-old had some kind words for her opponent, praising her ability to push the rest of the field to become better players.

"I want to say congrats to Iga and your team and family on an amazing year. Ending the year #1 winning and winning this tournament, it's really incredible and you continue to push me to be a better player every year... It makes me a much better player. I really appreciate that aspect of it. Of course, I wish I could have done better today but that's not how it goes sometimes," she said.

The World No. 5 had previously spoken of how her confidence was helping her maintain a high level at the Finals.

"I think last year when I became Top 5, I felt maybe I psyched myself out a little bit -- not a lot -- but just a little bit. You have a couple of thoughts in your head if you really belong at that level. I was always good at beating everyone below me. But it's like now you have to beat the one or two before you, and I think you put a bigger emphasis on that.

"This year, I've just not really cared and I've just had, I think, more confidence in those matches. And that's why I think I've had some maybe better top wins this year as far as beating No.1 players in the world in big moments," she said earlier in the tournament.