Iga Swiatek has dedicated her triumph at the Canadian Open to ‘everyone who is dealing with unfair judgement and hate’ in a swipe at the treatment she has been receiving in her native Poland.
The former world No.1 stormed to a 6-2, 6-3 win over a weary Elena Rybakina to clinch her first title of the year. Rybakina had played four three-set matches coming into the final, compared to Swiatek, who had played only two. During the final, Swiatek won 76% of her first service points and converted four out of five break point opportunities.
Toronto is Swiatek’s 11th WTA 1000 title, which places her second on the all-time list since the series was introduced in 2009. The only player to have won more is Serena Williams with 13 titles.
Speaking on court following her win, the 25-year-old opened up about dealing with critics during what has been a roller-coaster season. Coming into the North American swing, it had been almost 10 months since she last contested a Tour-level final. Furthermore, she had only reached the quarter-finals at one of her last three Grand Slam events, which was the Australian Open in January.
“I’m really happy about this tournament. It means so much to me because these past months were not easy. I’m really happy that I kept focusing on growing, changing my game a little bit, improving despite all the opinions that many people have about me every day on the internet. It’s not easy to deal with all that. So, I’m happy that the reality is different.” She said during her on-court interview.
“I want to dedicate this title to everyone who is dealing with unfair judgment and hate. Just keep pushing, keep growing, keep focusing on yourself because you know what’s best for you, and always remember what’s ahead and what might be possible.”
Swiatek, who defeated four top 20 players en route to her latest title, was more specific about the issue when speaking with Sportsnet. Explaining the criticism has mostly been from ‘experts’ in her home country.
“It feels great, especially with all the people judging and hating,” she told Sportsnet.
“Not honestly international fans but more at home. Not the fans even, but the experts. I’m happy year by year I give less (expletive) about it and I could win this tournament (so that) I could prove to everyone they just don’t make sense sometimes.
“I feel even a little bit even angry right now. I think that’s the first time in my life I’ve felt something like that after a victory. It hasn’t been easy.”
The Pole didn’t single out any particular example or individual. When asked during her press conference if the hate was related to social media, she replied, ‘Well, if you would be Polish, you would know.’
“I worked hard through all this noise, and unnecessary noise, that’s what makes me angry. Because it shouldn’t be like that and it doesn’t need to be like that,” she said.
Swiatek will return to the top five next week in the WTA rankings following her triumph in Canada. In the WTA Race to the Tour Finals, she will move up from 12th to 10th spot.
