In a reflective end to a rollercoaster 2025 season, Iga Swiatek has shared her candid thoughts on concluding the year ranked No. 2 in the WTA standings, just behind her fierce rival Aryna Sabalenka, who secured back-to-back year-end No. 1 honors.
The 24-year-old Polish star, who has now finished in the top two for four consecutive years—a feat achieved by only Serena Williams this century among women—described 2025 as an exhausting and demanding campaign. Swiatek played a tour-leading 79 matches, the most of any player on the WTA circuit, which she called “the longest season I ever played.” Despite facing mental struggles and inconsistencies, particularly on her favored clay courts where she suffered unexpected losses including a French Open semifinal defeat to Sabalenka, Swiatek views her year-end position with pride.
“Finishing No. 2 is an achievement I’m rightly proud of,” Swiatek remarked in recent interviews. She highlighted the deepening competition on the women’s tour, noting that all four Grand Slams in 2025 were won by different players for the third time in five years. This parity, she believes, makes sustained dominance increasingly challenging. “The field is getting stronger all the time, with tighter matches and fewer clear advantages,” she said, acknowledging the evolution of the game where power and depth have elevated the overall level.
Swiatek’s season was marked by highs and lows. A slow start saw her ranking dip temporarily, but a mid-year resurgence propelled her back into contention. Her crowning moment came at Wimbledon, where she claimed her first title on grass and sixth Grand Slam overall, crushing Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in a historic final—the first double bagel in a women’s Wimbledon final since 1911. Additional titles in Cincinnati and Seoul underscored her resilience.
Yet, Sabalenka’s consistency proved insurmountable. The Belarusian maintained the No. 1 spot throughout the year, reaching multiple finals and defending her US Open crown. Swiatek trailed by approximately 2,500 points at season’s end, a gap she attributes partly to the grueling schedule and her own battles with form.
Rather than dwelling on disappointment, Swiatek expressed motivation for the future. “I’m proud but exhausted,” she admitted after a brief holiday in Mauritius before diving into preseason training. Looking ahead to 2026, she emphasized a balanced approach, planning to reduce commitments to preserve mental and physical health. Her coach, Wim Fissette, reinforced her ambitions, stating that Swiatek remains driven to reclaim the top spot and chase more Grand Slams.
Swiatek’s grace in reflecting on Sabalenka’s superiority highlights the mutual respect in their rivalry, which has defined women’s tennis in recent years. While conceding the year-end No. 1 to her opponent, Swiatek’s comments reveal a champion undeterred, focused on growth amid a more competitive era. As the tour evolves, her determination suggests the battle for supremacy is far from over.
