Iga Swiatek reflects on 'not being a superhero' as she assesses 2024 season
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Iga Swiatek has revealed that she takes huge “satisfaction and pride” from her 2024 season despite admitting this year was about accepting “not being a superhero.”
The 23-year-old’s 2024 ended at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, where she guided her nation to the last four before defeat to eventual champions Italy.
Swiatek’s standout moment of the year was her French Open triumph, a fourth Roland Garros victory in five years for the Pole – and a third straight run to the title in Paris.
She was also the champion in Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, and Rome, but has not won a title since her victory at Roland Garros.
Swiatek suffered a shock semi-final loss at the Olympic Games, ultimately taking home a bronze medal, and also failed to make a Grand Slam semi-final outside of Paris.
The Pole was usurped as the world No 1 towards the end of the season, with Aryna Sabalenka claiming the year-end No 1 position.
However, her haul of five titles was more than anyone else on the WTA, and in an Instagram post this week she reflected on an “extraordinary year”.
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She said: “Thanks for this season. First and foremost I’m thanking myself and my team because it was another extraordinary year.
“It was the season of not being a superhero and accepting it, facing new challenges, grinding, hard work, appreciating milestones and unlocking new achievements.
“But what’s fundamental, I finish this year with huge satisfaction and pride of my grit, strength and everything that I’ve done and achieved which says more than any words.
“It’s time to rest and reset. My body and mind need that. Thank you to every kind and supportive human being who is by my side in this journey. See you soon.”
Swiatek has now won five Grand Slam singles titles and an overall haul of 22 WTA Tour titles, making her one of the most successful – if not the most successful – WTA players of the past decade.
The 23-year-old will head into 2025 as the world No 2, looking to return to world No 1 – the position she has spent 150 weeks of her career in so far.
Swiatek’s season will begin representing Poland at the United Cup, having made the final 12 months ago, before heading to the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open.
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