Iga Swiatek is the champion in Toronto, having beaten Elena Rybakina rather comprehensively last night in the Canadian Open final.
It represented a fitting end to a stellar week for the former world number one, who truly looked back to her very best as she scored impressive victories over Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina en route to the final.
Speaking afterwards on court, the 25-year-old spoke calmly, but with incredible passion as she sent a message to all those who had doubted her in recent months and years.
Then, when she headed for her press conference, Iga Swiatek had a special word for the fans in Toronto.
Iga Swiatek rates the Canadian Open crowd after winning the title
Chatting with reporters, one noted that it felt like the five-time Grand Slam champion benefited from support from the crowd all throughout the past week and a half.
“They were amazing,” Swiatek agreed, insisting: “You could hear them.”
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However, she also spoke with an element of caution, continuing: “Sometimes it was a little bit wild (laughing). They were screaming in unnecessary moments. But besides that, really supportive. I heard many great things from them. This is the best thing you can experience on the tournament.
“Also, like, after the matches, I had opportunity to always sign and to be close to them. I felt the support, and I felt the love. I heard from, like at the beginning of the tournament, that there’s like big Polish community here, but I didn’t know it’s that big. Half of the stadium was probably Polish. So I really appreciate that, and for sure it gives you extra energy. I felt it on the games.”
Aryna Sabalenka will have been watching Swiatek’s win over Rybakina closely ahead of the Cincinnati and US Open, where her world number one title is now massively under threat. She will defend quarter-final points in Ohio, and title points in New York.
What major titles does Iga Swiatek have left to win?
With the Canadian Open now added to her sprawling trophy cabinet, Swiatek has claimed yet another elite-level title for the very first time.
This leaves her just three events away from effectively completing the sport.
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Naturally, the Australian Open will stand out as the most important event she will hope to win. After all, claiming that would mean she had completed the Career Grand Slam, a feat managed by Carlos Alcaraz earlier this year.
Other than that, there are just two other WTA 1000 tournaments she has yet to win, in Dubai and in Wuhan.
She has reached the final of the former event, but has only ever featured in the latter once. It will be intriguing to see how desperately she starts chasing this glory in the coming years, as greatness awaits.
