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World No. 1 Iga Swiatek fell to Aryna Sabalenka in three enthralling sets at the WTA Finals on Sunday, thus bringing to an end her incredible 2022 season.
Heading into the match, Sabalenka had lost her last four encounters against Swiatek. But in her post-match interview on Sunday, the Belarusian stated that she was calm from the start and that she wanted to make Swiatek work hard during the match.
"Overall, I was really calm on the court," Sabalenka said. "The mindset was just I wanted to make her work for it. I didn't want to give her another easy win like she got [in the] first three wins. That's the mindset I had during this match. I think that's why I wasn't really going for all those winners, all those aces, but I think because of the mindset, I made it a lot."
Aryna Sabalenka claimed that she gave a lot of "easy matches" to Iga Swiatek this season but on Sunday was keen to not repeat the same mistake again.
"I gave her a lot of easy matches this season, and I think that’s enough for her,” Sabalenka said. “I wanted to make sure that, every time she plays against me, she knows she has to work hard to get a win. It was only because of this thinking that I was able to play such an amazing level tonight."
"I think it’s enough miracles for me this season. It’s time for hard work. It was a great match and an unbelievable atmosphere. I just really wanted to stay for another match. It’s the last match of the season. Who cares about our physical…who cares about that? I’m just ready to give everything I have," she added.
"I mean, her season is right up there with the best in this century" - Pam Shriver on Iga Swiatek's 2022 season
Former doubles World No. 1 Pam Shriver claimed on Sunday that Iga Swiatek's 2022 campaign has been one of the greatest in the 21st century and said that the Pole played every opponent possible.
"I mean, her season is right up there with the best in this century. Iga’s played everybody they’ve put in front of her, which is all she can do," said Shriver.
Iga Swiatek ended her 2022 season with a 67-9 win/loss record, which included a 37-match win streak during the summer. She won two Majors and four WTA 1000 titles in the year, making her the most successful player on tour by far.
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