After her Wimbledon breakthrough, where she defeated Amanda Anisimova in a relatively one-sided battle, emotions and expectations ran sky-high, with Iga Swiatek entering the US Open as a heavy favorite. Though she fell short of lifting the title, her recent Wuhan run proved formidable, marking the 25th WTA 1000 quarterfinal of her career and completing her career set. Wuhan had been the final missing piece. However, despite the loss to the Italian top seed, a major milestone now gleams as Iga Swiatek has now surpassed Venus Williams in total career earnings, leaving only Serena Williams ahead, a testament to her relentless rise and unyielding dominance.

Jasmine Paolini scripted a major first in Wuhan, carving her name into tennis history with her maiden victory over Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. After enduring six consecutive defeats to the six-time Grand Slam champion, the Italian finally turned the tables on her seventh attempt. The eighth-ranked Paolini delivered a stunning 6-1, 6-2 triumph in just over 65 minutes, a performance that sparkled with precision and poise under pressure. It was a night of redemption for Paolini, and a moment of reflection for Swiatek, whose Wuhan campaign ended sooner than expected.

Yet, even in heartbreak, there was triumph. That loss to Paolini carried a silver lining in the form of a milestone bonus. With her $83,250 paycheck for reaching the Wuhan quarterfinals, Iga Swiatek etched her name even deeper into tennis royalty. Entering the tournament with $42,862,240 in career earnings, she left China with $42,945,490, edging past Venus Williams’ lifetime total of $42,867,364. With this, Swiatek now stands second on the all-time WTA prize money list, trailing only Serena Williams’ unmatched $94,816,730.

And that elite Top 3 has grown more competitive than ever. Aryna Sabalenka, who stormed into the Wuhan semifinals and pocketed $180,100, now sits at No. 4 with $42,480,621. Had Sabalenka clinched the title, she, too, would have eclipsed Venus Williams to claim the No. 3 spot. The landscape of women’s tennis prize money has never been tighter, nor the competition fiercer.

Swiatek’s steady rise to financial and athletic greatness has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her title-winning run on London’s sacred grass propelled her to No. 3 on the all-time WTA career earnings list, making her only the fourth woman ever to break the $40 million barrier. Before her Wimbledon triumph, she was ranked eighth; now, her earnings and influence soar among the sport’s immortals.

That Wimbledon crown came with its own rich rewards. The 2025 Championships offered a record $4,069,500 prize for the singles winner, and Swiatek was the last woman standing. Her journey through the years has been a masterclass in persistence: from earning “only” $633,807 in 2019, to crossing the $1 million mark after her Roland Garros triumph in 2020 ($2,261,213), and continuing with $1,923,151 in 2021. Her best season came in 2022, when she amassed $9,875,525, followed by $9,857,686 and $8,550,693 in the next two seasons.

Now, as her bank account overflows with the fruits of her relentless excellence, Swiatek’s ambition shows no sign of slowing. The Polish superstar has already mapped out her opening tournament for the 2026 season, signaling that her hunger for victories, milestones, and legacy burns brighter than ever. 

Each match, each moment, continues to add verses to her ever-growing tennis symphony.

Iga Swiatek confirms participation in the 2026 United Cup

Iga Swiatek is already carving her path for 2026 with the same precision and intent that define her blistering forehand. With only the WTA Finals remaining on her 2025 calendar, the world No. 2 has shifted her focus toward a fresh new season and a fresh new challenge. The reigning Wimbledon champion has officially confirmed her participation in the 2026 United Cup, set for January 2–11, making Poland the first nation to commit to next year’s prestigious mixed-team event.

Fresh off her 25th career singles title in Seoul, Swiatek will once again lead Team Poland with her trademark blend of composure and fire. “The United Cup is always amazing. It’s always an amazing experience and just an honour to represent your country and especially alongside such great players,” she said, her voice carrying the pride that has long defined her career.

For Swiatek, the tournament is more than competition; it’s a connection. With a stellar 14-2 singles record at the event, she thrives on the energy of shared purpose. “I love being part of the team and have great memories of playing this event. This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year.”

Those words echo the bond between Swiatek and her fans, the unbreakable thread of belief that fuels her fire through triumphs and trials alike.

As she sets her sights on Sydney once more, her eyes also remain on the horizon of greater glory. The WTA Finals still await, a stage where she hopes to end her season with the same sharpness that has defined her resurgence.

After a lackluster start to 2025, Swiatek has fought her way back into form, her determination unwavering. Now, with confidence restored and purpose renewed, she marches toward 2026, steady, focused, and ready to script another chapter in her extraordinary story.