The Pole is the world’s best player but Aryna Sabalenka pushed her hard in 2023 and Coco Gauff took a major step in New York
As the North American hardcourt swing came into focus this summer, Iga Swiatek’s frustration was palpable. She had already achieved a significant amount in the season, winning her third French Open title and four titles overall. Although she had not scaled the heights of her unforgettable 2022 season, her supreme consistency had yielded a handsome 53-8 win-loss record.
For some people, though, that wasn’t enough. After recovering from a set down to emphatically defeat Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in Cincinnati, Swiatek initiated her press conference with a monologue, imploring fans to be more positive and less scathing of her efforts. She noted that people had even sent emails to her team, criticising their contributions. Clearly, the added scrutiny of being the focal point of her sport was weighing on her.