Iga Swiatek had something for women’s tennis critics and doubters following a Madrid Open showdown with Aryna Sabalenka as the Polish four-time Grand Slam champion cheekily asked where were those claiming the women’s game was boring to watch and follow.
Last year, Swiatek and Sabalenka played high-level tennis throughout the entire 2023 Madrid final and that match was later voted as the 2023 WTA Match of the Year. This year, Swiatek and Sabalenka met in a rematch at Caja Magica and this time somehow produced even better tennis and had a more dramatic final. And after three hours and 11 minutes of grueling battle, Swiatek edged out Sabalenka 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7) after saving three championship points.
Throughout and after the final, praises were coming Swiatek and Sabalenka’s way for the show they managed to deliver.
“Who’s gonna say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek cheekily asked during her trophy speech.
On Saturday, Swiatek and Sabalenka met for the fourth time in a final of a tournament. Later, Swiatek – who won her 20th title in Madrid – described it as “the craziest” final of her career.
“I think it was the most intense and crazy final I played. Out of every match (in my career), hard to say, but a final makes it even more crazy,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek, who now owns a 7-3 head-to-head versus Sabalenka, had some nice words for the second-ranked Belarusian following their Madrid final.
“Aryna… To many more finals… It’s always a challenge playing you. Thanks for motivating me and forcing me to be a better player,” Swiatek told Sabalenka.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka © Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Swiatek on how Rafael Nadal inspired her third-set comeback versus Sabalenka
After not realizing two break points in the third game and then losing her serve in the fourth, Swiatek found herself 1-3 down in the decider. In those moments, it didn’t look good for Swiatek but she managed to instantly respond and break back Sabalenka in the fifth game.
Later, Swiatek faced two match points when serving for a tie-break in the 12th game but managed to survive. In the tie-break, Swiatek faced another match point but also saved it before converting her second match.
Afterward, Swiatek shared that she thought about Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open final win over Daniil Medvedev. Two and a half years ago in the final at Melbourne Park, Medvedev was up by two sets and had three consecutive break points midway through the third set when the Spaniard’s astonishing comeback and five-set win started.
“I was surprised that in the third set I felt the best mentally. One thing that came through my mind was that I think Rafa had a couple of matches like that,” Swiatek said after the final.
“I remember exactly when he was playing (Daniil) Medvedev in Australia (Open final in 2022) and it clicked for him. He also struggled for a bit of time, he was tense and I think stressed. That kind of gave me hope that maybe it will click, even after two hours.”
Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal © Getty Images Sport – Jamie Squire
Swiatek on her perspective on women’s tennis
After delivering a little message to women’s tennis doubters, Swiatek explained in detail her perspective on the women’s game in her press conference.
At first, Swiatek started by acknowledging that she and fellow WTA stars would have no chance of beating a professional male player. But when it comes to every other aspect – playing at a high-level against each other, bringing passion, emotions, intensity, drama and all that stuff, Swiatek says women’s tennis is not lacking that.
With that being said, the four-time Grand Slam champion believes women’s tennis definitely has something to offer to fans and is worth watching.
“Well, I think, obviously if we would have to play against a man we would lose. It’s not about that. It’s about how two players match against each other. So I think we can play great matches,” Swiatek explained.
“You know, I’m No. 1, but I’m seeing these girls in the top 10, we can play such intense battles. I think it’s all about what emotions it brings in people, and I think it’s not that you should compare the level of tennis, but you should compare, like, what it gives you when you watch it.
“I think people can take a lot from watching women’s tennis, and it can be interesting and emotional.”
Iga Swiatek © Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Meanwhile, Swiatek will now turn her focus to the Rome Open, where she won back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Last year, Swiatek was having another promising Rome run but then suffered an injury and retired during her quarterfinal match versus Elena Rybakina.
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