Tennis world number one Iga Świątek makes the headline yet again. Last Saturday, the young Varsovian received the prestigious title of Personality of the Year by Przegląd Sportowy. 

https://twitter.com/przeglad/status/1611845266121916416?s=20&t=1mcOm_TyXC3t6jHlRaY0hw

The 88th edition of the gala saw a list of serious contenders for the prize. Światek was followed on the podium by motorcycle speedway rider Bartosz Zmarzlik and football superstar Robert Lewandowski.

Iga Świątek was recently awarded Player of the Year 2022 for the first time by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Her 2022 season has indeed been one of many triumphs. She won 8 titles, including 2 Grand Slams. She also completed the longest winning streak of the WTA tour of the 21st century with 37 consecutive wins in the first half of the season.

The Varsovian secured her place on the throne back in April when Ashleigh Barty surprisingly retired from professional tennis and decided to cancel her accumulated WTA points. This allowed Iga (number 2 at the time) to take the leadership of the classification.

She also became the fourth woman in tennis history to spend over 40 consecutive weeks as world number 1 in her first stint. Only three other players did so before her: Steffi Graf (186), Martina Hingis (80), and Serena Williams (57).

Unable to attend the gala in person, Swiątek credited the support she received in her impressive 2022 season in a social media post from an Australian beach. 

https://twitter.com/iga_swiatek/status/1612034036360413184?s=20&t=a1FHKwAfPW-aqAR7jbS1-g

After helping Poland reach the semifinals of the United Cup, Swiątek withdrew from this week’s Adelaide Open 2 because of a shoulder injury. She should be back in shape for the long-awaited Australian Open, which starts on 16 January and where she will be the big favourite. 

Image: Twitter (iga_swiatek)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen