Iga Swiatek is being celebrated across the tennis world after achieving a stunning 98-year first in her Qatar Open title defence in Doha. The World No.1 avenged her early season defeat to Jessica Pegula in Melbourne after winning back-to-back trophies at the Qatar Open in style.
The Pole completed one of the most dominant tournaments in recent memory after thrashing Pegula 6-3, 6-0 in the Qatar final. Swiatek had earlier booked her place in the Doha decider with consecutive 6-0, 6-1 victories over first Danielle Collins, and then Veronika Kudermetova, with a walkover against Belinda Bencic sandwiched between the two matches.WOW: Nadal dragged into ugly row amid uproar around Djokovic
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It means the three-time major winner – who was left in tears after a heavy defeat to Pegula in Sydney at the beginning of the year – lost just five games all tournament on her way to a successful title defence in Qatar. The extraordinary feat has not been seen for 98 years, when Suzanne Lenglen became the last woman to lose just five games on her way to winning the 1925 Wimbledon title.
Aside from her extraordinary slice of history, Swiatek also showed her class with a beautiful gesture and message for Ukraine, amid the ongoing war with Russia. Playing with a ribbon in the colours of Ukraine on her cap, the 21-year-old endeared herself to the tennis world by paying tribute to the war-ravaged country in a classy victory speechAndrew Reid
Andrew Reid
19 February 2023·5-min read
Pictured here, Iga Swiatek speaks after winning the Qatar Open title in 2023.
Iga Swiatek dropped just five games all tournament on her way to a second consecutive Qatar Open title. Pic: WTA/Getty
Iga Swiatek is being celebrated across the tennis world after achieving a stunning 98-year first in her Qatar Open title defence in Doha. The World No.1 avenged her early season defeat to Jessica Pegula in Melbourne after winning back-to-back trophies at the Qatar Open in style.
The Pole completed one of the most dominant tournaments in recent memory after thrashing Pegula 6-3, 6-0 in the Qatar final. Swiatek had earlier booked her place in the Doha decider with consecutive 6-0, 6-1 victories over first Danielle Collins, and then Veronika Kudermetova, with a walkover against Belinda Bencic sandwiched between the two matches.
WOW: Nadal dragged into ugly row amid uproar around Djokovic
AMAZING: Ons Jabeur in massive update after ‘heartbreaking’ injury fallout
NO WAY: Hewitt’s pleas ignored as ITF makes controversial call on Davis Cup
It means the three-time major winner – who was left in tears after a heavy defeat to Pegula in Sydney at the beginning of the year – lost just five games all tournament on her way to a successful title defence in Qatar. The extraordinary feat has not been seen for 98 years, when Suzanne Lenglen became the last woman to lose just five games on her way to winning the 1925 Wimbledon title.
Aside from her extraordinary slice of history, Swiatek also showed her class with a beautiful gesture and message for Ukraine, amid the ongoing war with Russia. Playing with a ribbon in the colours of Ukraine on her cap, the 21-year-old endeared herself to the tennis world by paying tribute to the war-ravaged country in a classy victory speech.
“This was the first tournament where I had a chance to make a speech when the war started in Ukraine,” she said. “I feel like we all have pretty short memories, but we should all support Ukrainians with everything they’re coping with every day.
“It’s pretty disappointing the situation is not changing, but hopefully they will stay strong.”
