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Apart from being the best in 2022, Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek has also won the WTA Finals 2023 in Cancun. Now former tennis legend, Martina Navratilova is smitten by this 22-year-old tennis player’s massive success. Swiatek not only won the WTA Finals this year but she regained her world’s number-one position. Previously Navratilova showed more confidence about the world’s number-two Coco Gauff. However, it looks like the scene is changing!

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Swiatek faced a devastating loss in the US Open, which shifted her rank to the world’s number two. Now with this victory, she once again impressed the tennis fraternity very much. In fact, tennis legend Martina Navratilova is praising this tennis star.

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Navratilova keeps high hopes for Iga Swiatek in the upcoming season

While the WTA 2023 tournament wasn’t really smooth for contestants, Iga Swiatek still managed to surprise the community with a brilliant performance. Now after her victory, Navratilova opens up about having really high hopes for Swiatek in the year 2024.

While the veteran tennis star was more hopeful about Gauff after the US Open, Swiatek made a swift change after her recent victory. Navratilova said- “I was picking Gauff. Now I think maybe Gauff will pass Sabalenka for No.2. But I don’t know if either one of them can get past Iga if she has a good offseason, stays healthy, stays fresh.”

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Iga faced off against Jessica Pegula and managed to swiftly bag the trophy. Players like Coco Gauff even struggled to manage hard on the court. While Swiatek was dethroned after the US Open, she managed to show a great comeback. Following this, Navratilova believed that Swiatek had the potential to rule the WTA for quite some years as no other player could really match up to her right now-“She just blew right through everybody.” Now receiving Navratilova’s compliment is not a mere thing.

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While this former tennis legend praised Iga Swiatek, she also noted where Swiatek needs more improvement. Navratilova commented- “I think that’s where she can improve the most. Iga still has a tendency to run back to the baseline when she really should be going forward. And if she gets that going? Watch out. She can still get a few more mph on her serve, too.” 

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Read More: ‘Beating Our Heads Against the Wall’ – Iga Swiatek Shows Leadership Skills in a Serious Message to the WTA as Problems Continue to Rise

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Navratilova’s suggestions will surely help Swiatek to improve more. She further adds her praise on the parts Swiatek excelled in as well. In Navratilova’s words- “The groundstrokes are solid as a rock. And the drop shot — I think she had something like two drop shots all year. When she adds that and uses it at the right time — because, with her topspin, she really pushes people back behind the baseline — she’ll be even more deadly.” Following this, for Navratilova, Swiatek still remains “better than anybody“.

How did Iga Swiatek bag her trophy in the WTA 2023 finals at Cancun?

2023 brought a ray of hope for Iga Swiatek as she bagged her first victory at the WTA Finals this year. After a devastating result in the US Open, Swiatek was determined not to lose a single set in the tournament and she did that perfectly.

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While facing a harsh condition, Swiagtek faced off against Pegula and snatched her victory by 6-1 and 6-0. Not just others were surprised by the performance, even Swiagtek herself expressed the joy of winning- “I’m just really happy and super proud of myself,” 

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Swiatek’s performance during the WTA 2023 finals surely mesmerized fans. Now that veteran Martina Navratilova is smitten by her skills, Swiatek surely has chances to achieve more feats in tennis. What do you think?

Watch This Story: Dissecting Gauff’s Beijing Defeat, American Tennis Legend Draws Williams Parallel to Explain Swiatek’s ‘Revenge’ Against the Teenager

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Upasana Banerjee

2,440 Articles

Upasana Banerjee is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a degree in Comparative Literature, she excels at weaving narratives and brining unique perspective to a graceful sport like Tennis. Whether it is dissecting player strategies or reflecting on timeless themes, Upasana's deep-rooted passion for the sport allows her to share insights and expert takes on any topic she covers. When away from the ES Desk, this true explorer can be found making plans for her next adventure trip.

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Ananya Giri

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