Iga Swiatek Named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023 List

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 13, 2023

World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023. The Polish star is entered in the Innovator category, next to global stars such as French footballer Kylian Mbappé and American actor Natasha Lyonne.

Swiatek is one of six athletes to have made the list, along with footballers Lionel Messi and Mbappé, skier Mikaela Shiffrin, basketball player Brittney Griner and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who was also named to Time’s list, in the Pioneers segment, penned an essay about Swiatek to celebrate the honor. The athletes have become great friends in recent years.

“When Iga Swiatek plays tennis, three things come to mind: beauty, power, and truth,” she wrote. “Throughout her rise to the top of tennis—and the top of sport—Iga has shown vulnerability and courage. She strives relentlessly to improve her game. She gives credit to those who have supported her, without discounting her own skills and work. She has advocated for mental health and supported Ukrainians in their fight to protect their home. As an athlete, and more importantly as a human, she embodies the kind of confidence that everyone should emulate—the confidence of action over mere talk.”

💯I have never thought that something like this will happen to me. Thank you @TIME for this incredible honor and recognition. And thank you @MikaelaShiffrin for your words. It means a lot.🙏🏼https://t.co/2gXozOd5mb

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) April 13, 2023

Three-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek is 16-4 on the season with a title in Doha. She is the first Grand Slam singles champion and World No.1 to ever hail from Poland. She will turn 22 on May 31st.