Iga Swiatek might be best known for her prowess on the clay and at Roland Garros, but it’s Doha where she has become virtually unbeatable.
The world No. 1 has now claimed the title in the Qatar capital for three consecutive years. With her 7-6 (8), 6-2 victory over Elena Rybakina on Saturday in the final, she became the first player to win the Doha title more than twice and the first woman to win a singles title at an event in three straight years since Serena Williams did so in Miami from 2013 to 2015.
Swiatek later confessed to reporters that she was unaware of the significance of securing her Doha hat trick but still couldn’t hide her enthusiasm about the achievement.
“I never really thought of myself as a record-breaker,” Swiatek, 22, said. “You know, I already did a couple of records. It’s been amazing. But honestly, I don’t even know what records are there, because I think everybody is just talking about Serena and the Slams, you know.
“But I never really followed the other ones, but this was kind of cool. I never knew that it’s so special to win three times in a row. But I would say that it happens when you actually don’t know about it, so I don’t aim to break any records. I’m just playing tennis, and that’s all.”
Records aside, it was a dominant week for Swiatek in her first tournament since her surprise third-round exit at the Australian Open last month. She didn’t drop a set — and lost just 11 total games — as she cruised into her first final of the season. But during the final, against the red-hot Rybakina, Swiatek initially seemed to struggle with her opponent’s big hitting and the gusty conditions. She went down a double break, 4-1, in the opening set before seizing momentum following a medical timeout from Rybakina after she inadvertently cut her leg with her racket. Swiatek won the match in 2 hours and 19 minutes and secured her first title of the season, as well as her seventh at an 1000-level tournament and 18th overall.
History Maker 👑
The moment @iga_swiatek retained her title in Doha. #QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/qizfADa84v
— wta (@WTA) February 17, 2024
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