Iga Swiatek Wins WTA Finals And Returns To No. 1 World

Iga Swiatek in appearance at WTA Finals 2023 at Cancun, Mexico (photo: dock INSTAGRAM)

JAKARTA Iga Swiatek successfully defeated Jessica Pegula to lift the 2023 WTA Finals trophy as well as return to world number one.

The Polish tennis player won easily in straight sets 6-1 and 6-0 in the final match at the Estadio Paradius, Cancun, Mexico, Tuesday, November 7, 2023 morning WIB.

This result makes Swiatek overtake Aryna Sabalenka as the world number one tennis player. Sabalenka is now down to second place, followed by Coco Gauff completing the top three WTA rankings.

This is the first time Swiatek has won the WTA Finals tournament. He is the youngest champion of this tournament since Petra Kvitova's 2011 victory at the age of 21.

"I want to thank my team for being with me all season," Swiatek said as reported by BBC Sport.

"We've had a lot of ups and downs, but it's definitely a progress, and we'll get more if we keep working like this," he added.

The final took place a day later after bad weather at the event. Luckily the match can then be played in favorable weather.

Swiatek quickly got up and broke service in the fourth game to lead 3-1 before advancing to claim the first set within 27 minutes.

Pegula, world number five, then lost service for the third time in the first game of the second set.

Swiatek then overwhelmed his opponent and broke service to lead 3-0. He then comfortably dominated to secure his sixth WTA title this season and 17th overall.

Swiatek will complete 2023 as the world's number one player for the second season in a row.