Winning Wimbledon should have been enough to call 2025 a dream year for Iga Swiatek. After all, she finally conquered grass, a surface that had always challenged her. Not to mention, that 6-0, 6-0 win over Amanda Anisimova was a statement. But as Swiatek steps into the WTA Finals, it’s clear that, success doesn’t erase struggle. This year wasn’t just about winning trophies; it was also about staying strong when things got tough.

In her interview with The National News, Swiatek opened up about her season and what she had to overcome. “I had some challenges this year that really were kind of new and I needed to adjust to them a little bit more,” she said. That openness shows a side that we don’t often see from the self-described “Polish introvert”.

“I had some challenges this year that really were kind of new and I needed to adjust to them a little bit more,” said Swiatek. “Also, I think it was the first year when I didn’t feel like I’m still young. That was also a different feeling.”

Her patience was put to the test this year with back-to-back tournaments, continuous travel, and . She also began the season with a new coach, Wim Fissette, after parting ways with Tomasz Wiktorowski in October. Adding to that was the moment she tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine last year. Swiatek, who received a one month sanction, said that the initial weeks following the revelation were the most difficult. After learning that her melatonin was tainted, the International Tennis Integrity Agency later cleared her, but those weeks tested her faith in ways no match ever could.

If all that wasn’t enough, there was also the pressure of performance with the 24-year-old enduring a 13-month title drought until her Wimbledon victory. But with that victory came the easing of some big burdens. “Overall, winning Wimbledon made this season already super special and amazing. I would just put it over anything else,” she said with a smile.

Reflecting on it all, Iga Swiatek shared, “Also, I think it was the first year when I didn’t feel like I’m still young.” It’s ironic, really, at just 24, she’s the youngest player to qualify for the WTA Finals five years in a row. Yet, the grind of the tour often makes her feel decades older. “I feel like I’m 40 already,” she joked, then quickly added, “No but like, seriously, for sure, the life on tour is intense, and all the seasons are super intense. So it’s easy to forget how young I am, because I feel like I’ve just been on tour for like 10 years. Actually, it’s been six, but it’s been just really busy and also efficient. So this is something that I’m happy about.”

This season pushed her into new emotional territory, handling a doping scare she didn’t cause, managing fatigue, and growing up faster than she ever expected. Every dip in form, every off-court challenge, became part of her evolution. But when she lifted that Wimbledon trophy this summer, the joy made it all worth it.  Now, as the season nears its end, she’s about to face one of her toughest tests yet.

Iga Swiatek steps into her hardest battle yet

Iga Swiatek might face her toughest competition so far as the second phase of matches begins at the WTA Finals. The clash between the two Wimbledon champions, Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, will be their 11th career meeting. Both started the tournament with dominant wins. Swiatek dropped just three games in her opening match against Madison Keys.

Since her Wimbledon title, she has added wins in Cincinnati and Seoul, reaching over 60 victories for the fourth year in a row, something no one has done since 2001. But now, she faces an opponent who has matched her power before.

Elena Rybakina, who qualified for the Finals after winning the Ningbo title and having a strong Asian swing, continued her form by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-1. She has lost only once in the first round all year and has 24 hard-court wins since July. Her heavy serve and attacking style make her one of the toughest players to face when she’s confident. Still, Rybakina hasn’t managed to win a big title in 2025, and with a 0-2 record at the WTA Finals, she’ll be looking to turn things around here.

This season, they have been fiercely competitive. On the same pattern, when they met in Roland Garros earlier this year, Rybakina took the lead in one and a half sets before Swiatek secured an amazing comeback. Rybakina won four of the first six, but the Pole now leads the head-to-head matchup 6-4.

Iga Swiatek has the edge but Rybakina’s serve remains a formidable force. But one thing’s for certain: it’s going to be a thrilling match.