„When Iga Swiatek plays tennis, three things come to mind: beauty, power, and truth. Throughout her rise to the top of tennis and the top of the sport, Iga has shown vulnerability and courage” – we can read in „TIME” magazine.

This is a tremendous achievement for the 21-year-old athlete who has already made a name for herself in the world of tennis.

„She strives relentlessly to improve her game. She gives credit to those who have supported her, without discounting her own skills and work.” – Mikaela Shiffrin, about the current WTA ranking leader and three-time Grand Slam champion.

💯I have never thought that something like this will happen to me. Thank you @TIME for this incredible honor and recognition. And thank you @MikaelaShiffrin for your words. It means a lot.🙏🏼https://t.co/2gXozOd5mb

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) April 13, 2023

Świątek first burst onto the scene in 2020 when she won the French Open, becoming the youngest woman to win the tournament since Monica Seles in 1992. She then followed this up with a string of impressive performances, winning the Adelaide International and reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2021.

However, not just her on-court performances have caught the attention of „Time” magazine. Świątek has also become a role model for young people worldwide, both on and off the court. She has spoken openly about the importance of mental health and has become an advocate for athletes who struggle with the pressure and scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye. 

The Polish woman inspired many people around the world.

„She has advocated for mental health and supported Ukrainians in their fight to protect their home. As an athlete, and more importantly as a human, she embodies the kind of confidence that everyone should emulate the confidence of action over mere talk.” – Shiffrin added.

Shiffrin also emphasises the scale of the tennis player’s success, who couldn’t rely on a robust infrastructure when starting her career in Poland, yet managed to reach the top through determination, talent, and hard work – „To rise to the top of tennis with the limited resources she had coming from Poland is remarkable. She has ignited a nation and given the next generation a reason to believe they can also achieve something incredible. She reminds us all that it’s OK to feel disappointment and it’s also OK to feel proud of ourselves.”

Author: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska

Photo: Twitter @iga_swiatek and @TIME