Friday, September 23, 2022
Roger Federer's Farewell Match at Laver Cup
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Roger Federer on retirement, career highs, regrets, and what comes next
Roger Federer has delved into more detail about the decision-making process behind concluding his record-breaking tennis career.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion announced in a social media post his intention to retire following this weekend’s Laver Cup, and fronted the press on Wednesday in London to reflect on a professional tennis career spanning almost 25 years.
Federer said he ends his career with few regrets and satisfaction with where he sits among the game’s pantheon of legends.
For more than a decade, after surpassing Pete Sampras’ major title haul with victory at 2009 Wimbledon, Federer owned the record for the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles in history, before being surpassed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic this year.
Yet he continues to hold countless other tennis records and a legacy of having elevated both the level and popularity of tennis to astounding heights.
“I'm definitely very proud and very happy where I sit,” he said ahead of the Laver Cup, where he is expected to play doubles on Friday evening at The O2 Arena.
“One of my big moments of course was winning my 15th slam at Wimbledon, when Pete was sitting there. Anything after that was a bonus. That was the record, and then of course it was other records along the way.
“Nowadays, I think … players will want to chase records. It's true at some point I kind of probably did as well, but not the first years until I got closer to Pete's record.
“For me, it was about how did I manage my schedule, was I happy on and off the court, did I like my life on the tour? And I did. I think I had the best of times.
“Obviously the last few years have been what they have been, but I'm very happy that I was able to win another five slams from 15 on. For me it was incredible. Then I made it to over 100 titles.
“Don't need all the records to be happy; I tell you that.”
In a wide-ranging press conference, Federer chatted at length as he reflected on his magnificent playing career. Below are some of the highlights.
On why he used the word “bittersweet” in his retirement post:
“The bitterness (is because) you always want to play forever. I love being out on court, I love playing against the guys, I love travelling. I never really felt like it was that hard for me to do, of winning, learn from losing, it was all perfect. I love my career from every angle. That's the bitter part. The sweet part was that I know everybody has to do it at one point. Everybody has to leave the game. It's been a great, great journey. For that, I'm really grateful.”
On choosing London as the place to retire:
“That was clearly part of my thinking, as well: Where is the place? I contemplated a lot of other things. Before the US Open maybe, but this was before Serena announced it. But I said I was not going to be there.
“I wish I could have announced it earlier, but it all worked out. I'm happy to do it here in London. After then thinking about it, this city has been special to me. Maybe the most special place with Wimbledon down the road and here at the O2… won here as well. I just thought it was very fitting. I have always enjoyed the crowds here as well.
“Having Bjorn Borg on the bench with me for my final game resonated also in a big way with me. Having all the other guys around just felt like I was not going to be lonely announcing my retirement.
“I'm really looking forward to these next few days. It's going to be very special.”
On his best and sweetest career moments:
“I haven't really gone into deep-diving thinking about what are those moments. (Off the) top of my head, obviously you think about first Wimbledon (title in 2003), the match with Sampras at Wimbledon (fourth-roun win in 2001), the 2017 comeback, winning Australia, '09 French Open. I'm fortunate that I can almost pick and choose which moments were the best because there were so many.”
On his pride at his career longevity and consistency:
“I was famous for being quite erratic at the beginning of my career. If you maybe remember, I was famous for being not so consistent, and then to become one of the most consistent players ever is quite a shock to me, as well. That has been I think a great accomplishment for me personally that people can judge, if they think that's the case too, but for me, that is something I have really enjoyed and that I have been able to stay at the top for so long and compete for any tournament I would enter and really go out there and say, like, I hope I can win the tournament for, I don't know, let's say 15-plus years… and not just saying, Oh, quarters would be great.
“I think looking back that has a special meaning to me because I always looked to the Michael Schumachers, Tiger Woods, all the other guys that stayed for so long at the top that I didn't understand how they did it. Next thing you know, you're part of that group, and it's been a great feeling.”
On how he’ll be remembered:
“They will talk about the other things (like his classic, fluid style of play), which I'm very happy and very proud of, as well. But you need everything, especially grit and fight and all that toughness to come through and stay at the top for as long as I did. I was more lucky to maybe (be) more gifted with racquet head speed or that stuff.
“I'm proud of how far I have come, because I know that this was something I really struggled with early on. I was criticised a lot, heavily maybe sometimes even, fairly or unfairly, whatever it is, why wouldn't I fight more when losing? Because they thought when I lost I didn't give it all I had, even though I care probably more than most players. So I didn't quite understand what that meant. Do I have to grunt, do I have to sweat more, shout more, be more aggressive towards my opponents? What is it? It's not me. I'm not like that. That's not my personality.
“A lot of people then told me, Well, you have to be tougher and not so nice maybe, you know. I tried, but that was all an act. And I said, Well, I will try it the nice way. Let's see where it takes me. Let me just try to be normal and be myself, and I'm very happy I was able to stay authentic and be myself for this long.”
On any regrets he might have:
"Of course you have somewhat regrets but never really, because I do believe things happen for a reason, and if it wasn't going to be for mistakes made or wrong decisions, who knows? Those are what made me grow, as well. I'm happy it happened the way it did.
"I'm probably famous for having some tougher losses, as well, but then also dealing with them and seeing it as an opportunity to get better, to grow from it. I'm happy I don't have flashbacks at tough moments in my career. I see more the happiness, me with trophy, me winning, me winning moments, and I'm happy that my brain allows me to think this way, because I know it's not easy to push sometimes defeats and those things away.”
On what he will miss most:
“I love tying my shoes, getting ready, putting the bandanna on, I look in the mirror, Are we ready for this? Yeah, okay, let's go. As much as I love it, I'm happy I don't have to go through it again. Having those knots in my tummy, waiting all day, eating breakfast, thinking about, okay, tonight, I've got another big match. Oh, I've got another 15 hours to wait for it.
“I will miss just every interaction on the court, off the court…I know these people came from a faraway place, spent a lot of money, took time off from their vacation or from work and come watch me play. I mean, I'll miss that.”
On remaining connected to tennis beyond his playing career:
“I just wanted to let the fans know I won't be a ghost. It's funny, I talked about Bjorn Borg just before. I don't think he returned to Wimbledon for 25 years. That, in a way, hurts every tennis fan. Totally acceptable, his life, his reasons, you know. But I don't think I'll be that guy, and I feel tennis has given me too much. I have been around the game for too long. Have fallen in love with too many things.
"I love seeing people again, and that's kind of what I wanted to let the fans know that you'll see me again. Now what it could be, in what capacity (I’ll stay involved in tennis), I don't know. So I still have to think about it a little bit but give myself time."
On the next generation of players who will take over:
“I think it's going to be great. More athletic than ever I think… Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Rublev, all of them. Not mentioning nearly enough, but the best movers are the best players. It's been like this for the last 10, 20 years already now, and it's going to stay like this, if you see what they are able to do. I think that is going to stay this way.
“(Back in my day) anything short, they're coming in. Nowadays that's not the case, but that's fine. I still think tennis is going to be really exciting and we probably don't know in which way it's going to go exactly, but we will see some ridiculous defending, some unbelievable power, and great personalities. I'll be their No. 1 fan. It's going to be all good.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champion announced in a social media post his intention to retire following this weekend’s Laver Cup, and fronted the press on Wednesday in London to reflect on a professional tennis career spanning almost 25 years.
Federer said he ends his career with few regrets and satisfaction with where he sits among the game’s pantheon of legends.
For more than a decade, after surpassing Pete Sampras’ major title haul with victory at 2009 Wimbledon, Federer owned the record for the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles in history, before being surpassed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic this year.
Yet he continues to hold countless other tennis records and a legacy of having elevated both the level and popularity of tennis to astounding heights.
“I'm definitely very proud and very happy where I sit,” he said ahead of the Laver Cup, where he is expected to play doubles on Friday evening at The O2 Arena.
“One of my big moments of course was winning my 15th slam at Wimbledon, when Pete was sitting there. Anything after that was a bonus. That was the record, and then of course it was other records along the way.
“Nowadays, I think … players will want to chase records. It's true at some point I kind of probably did as well, but not the first years until I got closer to Pete's record.
“For me, it was about how did I manage my schedule, was I happy on and off the court, did I like my life on the tour? And I did. I think I had the best of times.
“Obviously the last few years have been what they have been, but I'm very happy that I was able to win another five slams from 15 on. For me it was incredible. Then I made it to over 100 titles.
“Don't need all the records to be happy; I tell you that.”
In a wide-ranging press conference, Federer chatted at length as he reflected on his magnificent playing career. Below are some of the highlights.
On preparing for playing doubles only at his final event at Laver Cup:
“That was my concern as well a little bit going in. Of course this is an event, an ATP event that I don't want to mess with, you know, but at the same time, I know my limitations… So here I am trying to prepare for one last doubles, and we'll see with who it is. I'm nervous going in because I haven't played in so long. I hope I can be somewhat competitive.”
On the moment he knew his playing career was to end:
“I guess there was a certain process that started at the beginning of the summer, where you try to go to the next level in training, and I could feel it was getting difficult. So obviously at that point I knew any hiccup, any setback, was going to be the one potentially. Then I also got a scan back which wasn't what I wanted it to be. At some point you sit down and go, Okay, we are at an intersection here, at a crossroad, and you have to take a turn. Which way is it?
“Then maybe the hardest part after that one point, of course you're sad in the very moment when you realise, okay, this is the end. I sort of ignored it for a little bit almost, because I went on vacation and just said, Okay, this is it. This moment came shortly after I was at Wimbledon where I still truly actually believed there was going to be a chance for me to come back the next year. At what capacity, I didn't know, but I thought it might be possible.
“I only then at one point when I returned from vacation I really started to discuss the details of, okay, where, when, how, what. Honestly this period was quite stressful getting the letter right, the wording right, using words like "bittersweet."
“That was my concern as well a little bit going in. Of course this is an event, an ATP event that I don't want to mess with, you know, but at the same time, I know my limitations… So here I am trying to prepare for one last doubles, and we'll see with who it is. I'm nervous going in because I haven't played in so long. I hope I can be somewhat competitive.”
On the moment he knew his playing career was to end:
“I guess there was a certain process that started at the beginning of the summer, where you try to go to the next level in training, and I could feel it was getting difficult. So obviously at that point I knew any hiccup, any setback, was going to be the one potentially. Then I also got a scan back which wasn't what I wanted it to be. At some point you sit down and go, Okay, we are at an intersection here, at a crossroad, and you have to take a turn. Which way is it?
“Then maybe the hardest part after that one point, of course you're sad in the very moment when you realise, okay, this is the end. I sort of ignored it for a little bit almost, because I went on vacation and just said, Okay, this is it. This moment came shortly after I was at Wimbledon where I still truly actually believed there was going to be a chance for me to come back the next year. At what capacity, I didn't know, but I thought it might be possible.
“I only then at one point when I returned from vacation I really started to discuss the details of, okay, where, when, how, what. Honestly this period was quite stressful getting the letter right, the wording right, using words like "bittersweet."
On confronting the concept of retirement:
“I was in a very, I guess, worried, scared place to face the music, the media, the fans, and everything, being able to talk about it in a normal fashion without getting emotional, just because I know how much it means to me. But I feel like I probably went through a lot of different stages. I don't know if you can call it grieving, and then you get to (a point where you think) I really don't want it to be a funeral. I want it to be really happy and powerful and party mode, rather than the other side. It has to feel like it's going to be fun, and not everybody (saying), Oh, I'm so sorry, are you okay? No, no, I'm okay, but I'm going to be happy.
“I think that was also the part where I talked about didn't want to think about it, because I was not ready in my picture, seeing myself speak on a tennis court was impossible at that moment. I think going through that has helped me a lot that I can be here today.
“I'm happy with the decision, because it's the right one. I thought about it. I have had a lot of time to let it sit.”
“I was in a very, I guess, worried, scared place to face the music, the media, the fans, and everything, being able to talk about it in a normal fashion without getting emotional, just because I know how much it means to me. But I feel like I probably went through a lot of different stages. I don't know if you can call it grieving, and then you get to (a point where you think) I really don't want it to be a funeral. I want it to be really happy and powerful and party mode, rather than the other side. It has to feel like it's going to be fun, and not everybody (saying), Oh, I'm so sorry, are you okay? No, no, I'm okay, but I'm going to be happy.
“I think that was also the part where I talked about didn't want to think about it, because I was not ready in my picture, seeing myself speak on a tennis court was impossible at that moment. I think going through that has helped me a lot that I can be here today.
“I'm happy with the decision, because it's the right one. I thought about it. I have had a lot of time to let it sit.”
On why he used the word “bittersweet” in his retirement post:
“The bitterness (is because) you always want to play forever. I love being out on court, I love playing against the guys, I love travelling. I never really felt like it was that hard for me to do, of winning, learn from losing, it was all perfect. I love my career from every angle. That's the bitter part. The sweet part was that I know everybody has to do it at one point. Everybody has to leave the game. It's been a great, great journey. For that, I'm really grateful.”
On choosing London as the place to retire:
“That was clearly part of my thinking, as well: Where is the place? I contemplated a lot of other things. Before the US Open maybe, but this was before Serena announced it. But I said I was not going to be there.
“I wish I could have announced it earlier, but it all worked out. I'm happy to do it here in London. After then thinking about it, this city has been special to me. Maybe the most special place with Wimbledon down the road and here at the O2… won here as well. I just thought it was very fitting. I have always enjoyed the crowds here as well.
“Having Bjorn Borg on the bench with me for my final game resonated also in a big way with me. Having all the other guys around just felt like I was not going to be lonely announcing my retirement.
“I'm really looking forward to these next few days. It's going to be very special.”
On his best and sweetest career moments:
“I haven't really gone into deep-diving thinking about what are those moments. (Off the) top of my head, obviously you think about first Wimbledon (title in 2003), the match with Sampras at Wimbledon (fourth-roun win in 2001), the 2017 comeback, winning Australia, '09 French Open. I'm fortunate that I can almost pick and choose which moments were the best because there were so many.”
On his pride at his career longevity and consistency:
“I was famous for being quite erratic at the beginning of my career. If you maybe remember, I was famous for being not so consistent, and then to become one of the most consistent players ever is quite a shock to me, as well. That has been I think a great accomplishment for me personally that people can judge, if they think that's the case too, but for me, that is something I have really enjoyed and that I have been able to stay at the top for so long and compete for any tournament I would enter and really go out there and say, like, I hope I can win the tournament for, I don't know, let's say 15-plus years… and not just saying, Oh, quarters would be great.
“I think looking back that has a special meaning to me because I always looked to the Michael Schumachers, Tiger Woods, all the other guys that stayed for so long at the top that I didn't understand how they did it. Next thing you know, you're part of that group, and it's been a great feeling.”
On how he’ll be remembered:
“They will talk about the other things (like his classic, fluid style of play), which I'm very happy and very proud of, as well. But you need everything, especially grit and fight and all that toughness to come through and stay at the top for as long as I did. I was more lucky to maybe (be) more gifted with racquet head speed or that stuff.
“I'm proud of how far I have come, because I know that this was something I really struggled with early on. I was criticised a lot, heavily maybe sometimes even, fairly or unfairly, whatever it is, why wouldn't I fight more when losing? Because they thought when I lost I didn't give it all I had, even though I care probably more than most players. So I didn't quite understand what that meant. Do I have to grunt, do I have to sweat more, shout more, be more aggressive towards my opponents? What is it? It's not me. I'm not like that. That's not my personality.
“A lot of people then told me, Well, you have to be tougher and not so nice maybe, you know. I tried, but that was all an act. And I said, Well, I will try it the nice way. Let's see where it takes me. Let me just try to be normal and be myself, and I'm very happy I was able to stay authentic and be myself for this long.”
On any regrets he might have:
"Of course you have somewhat regrets but never really, because I do believe things happen for a reason, and if it wasn't going to be for mistakes made or wrong decisions, who knows? Those are what made me grow, as well. I'm happy it happened the way it did.
"I'm probably famous for having some tougher losses, as well, but then also dealing with them and seeing it as an opportunity to get better, to grow from it. I'm happy I don't have flashbacks at tough moments in my career. I see more the happiness, me with trophy, me winning, me winning moments, and I'm happy that my brain allows me to think this way, because I know it's not easy to push sometimes defeats and those things away.”
On what he will miss most:
“I love tying my shoes, getting ready, putting the bandanna on, I look in the mirror, Are we ready for this? Yeah, okay, let's go. As much as I love it, I'm happy I don't have to go through it again. Having those knots in my tummy, waiting all day, eating breakfast, thinking about, okay, tonight, I've got another big match. Oh, I've got another 15 hours to wait for it.
“I will miss just every interaction on the court, off the court…I know these people came from a faraway place, spent a lot of money, took time off from their vacation or from work and come watch me play. I mean, I'll miss that.”
On remaining connected to tennis beyond his playing career:
“I just wanted to let the fans know I won't be a ghost. It's funny, I talked about Bjorn Borg just before. I don't think he returned to Wimbledon for 25 years. That, in a way, hurts every tennis fan. Totally acceptable, his life, his reasons, you know. But I don't think I'll be that guy, and I feel tennis has given me too much. I have been around the game for too long. Have fallen in love with too many things.
"I love seeing people again, and that's kind of what I wanted to let the fans know that you'll see me again. Now what it could be, in what capacity (I’ll stay involved in tennis), I don't know. So I still have to think about it a little bit but give myself time."
On the next generation of players who will take over:
“I think it's going to be great. More athletic than ever I think… Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Rublev, all of them. Not mentioning nearly enough, but the best movers are the best players. It's been like this for the last 10, 20 years already now, and it's going to stay like this, if you see what they are able to do. I think that is going to stay this way.
“(Back in my day) anything short, they're coming in. Nowadays that's not the case, but that's fine. I still think tennis is going to be really exciting and we probably don't know in which way it's going to go exactly, but we will see some ridiculous defending, some unbelievable power, and great personalities. I'll be their No. 1 fan. It's going to be all good.”
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Roger Federer announces retirement from Tennis after Laver Cup
I have been mentally preparing for this day for some time now. But turns out I was not ready for the official announcement today.
It's not really a big shock or surprise at this point given he has already been away from the game for over a year, but just knowing that the last time we'll ever see him on any court is in a week's time at Laver Cup fills me with indescribable sadness.
I started following Roger's career fairly late in the game, around the time Martina Hingis was retiring for the first time (2006-2007) basically at the height of his career.
Or so I thought little did I know it was just beginning and we would have 15 years of greatness to look forward to.
The more I watched him the more I loved him, the elegance with which he played the way he moved as if almost floating on that court.
The way he showed respect for his opponents and the sport itself, the love he showed his legions of fans, everything about him appealed to me. He is the embodiment of the Greatest of All Time (and no amount of tittles or accolades for his peers will ever make me think otherwise).
I always thought he would give it one more go next year, and do a fair well tour of sorts, but understandably his body is telling him otherwise.
Frankly I always thought he would play his last tournament in his home town of Basel where it all started for him, but it's fitting he's bowing out at a tournament he created with Rod Laver one of his greatest idols.
He always said he wanted to end things while he's still able to do things with his kids like skiing, soccer, or some other sports he never got to take part in due to saving his body for tennis.
There will undoubtedly be many new players with similar game that will grace us with their talents on the court over the years, but to me there will always be only one Roger Federer.
Thank you Roger for your boundless talent, inspiration, grit, class, grace on and off the court, but most of all thank you for the memories, the moments of triumph and heartbreak I will never forget.
Your love, respect and appreciation for the sport, it's history and your fans will be profoundly missed.
The sport of Tennis will carry on, but it'll never be the same.
Monday, September 12, 2022
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Iga Swiatek the first Polish U.S. Open Champion!!
She proceeded to win 37 straight matches, including the French Open. And now, after Saturday’s 6-2, 7-6 (5) victory against Ons Jabeur, Swiatek is the US Open champion.
Rather than being intimidated by that No.1 ranking, Swiatek, it turns out, was rather inspired.
“I needed to stay composed and focus on the goals,” Swiatek said during the trophy ceremony. “It’s New York -- it’s so loud, it’s so crazy.
“It’s really mind-blowing for me. I’m really proud I could handle it mentally.”
Now 21, the age of a typical college junior, Swiatek has become the consummate closer.
After dropping the opening set of a fourth-round match to Jule Niemeier, she rallied to win, finishing with a 6-0 flourish. She avoided a third set in the quarterfinals against Jessica Pegula winning a tiebreak in stone-cold fashion. Swiatek was down 4-2 in the third set to Aryna Sabalenka -- and won the last four games of their semifinal.
Against Jabeur, it came down to a tight second-set tiebreak -- Swiatek’s first in a final. Down 5-4, Swiatek fired a forehand winner that hit the line. When Jabeur’s forehand sailed long two points later, she had closed another deal.
'An incredible battle': Social media reacts to the US Open final
Before this year, Swiatek was considered a stronger player on clay, but by winning three consecutive WTA 1000s on hardcourts in Doha, Indian Wells and Miami, she changed that narrative. This title in New York underlines her versatility. She’s only the third woman player in the last 15 years to win multiple majors in a season on different surfaces, joining Serena Williams and Justine Henin.
“At the beginning of the season I realized that maybe I can have some good results on WTA events,” Swiatek told reporters. “I also made it to the semifinal of Australian Open. But I wasn’t sure if I was on the level yet to win actually a Grand Slam, especially on US Open where the surface is so fast.
“It’s something that I wasn’t expecting for sure. It’s also like a confirmation for me that sky is the limit. I’m proud, also surprised a little bit, just happy that I was able to do that.”
Swiatek has won her past 10 finals in straight sets. This, after losing her first, at the age of 17 and ranked No.115, to Polona Hercog in Lugano, Switzerland. Going back to ITF events, Swiatek has won 17 of 18 career finals -- that’s as clutch as it gets.
Her final overall record in this year’s four majors: 21-2.
This is Swiatek’s seventh title of the year. She’s the first woman to do that since Serena Williams in 2014 and the first No.1 seed to take the title since Williams eight years ago.
To put this win in context, consider that Swiatek is the youngest woman to win her third major title since Maria Sharapova (20) in 2008. Swiatek is only the ninth player of the Open Era to win her third major before turning 22. The previous eight, her new peers at the top of tennis: Sharapova, Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Stefanie Graf and Chris Evert.
Moreover, the Roland Garros champion is the first player to win two majors in a single season since Angelique Kerber in 2016.
"I think in general [Swiatek just plays] better at the right moment, at the important points," Jabeur said in press. "She knows exactly what to do. I feel like she improved a lot from last year until the beginning of this year again."
During the first week, Swiatek sometimes seemed out of rhythm, out of sorts. What changed?
“For sure, the weather changed because it wasn’t that hot in the second part of the tournament. It was helpful. Sometimes we have many things actually to think about on court. Sometimes I wasn’t able to do it every time, so I was making a lot of mistakes. Then I finally accepted that I’m going to make those mistakes. It’s not going to be like on slow surface where I can build a rally, then be really calm and just finish.
“It’s going to be more risk and less control, for sure. So I accepted that. That was the thing that actually let me be more free.”
This was the championship final the last Grand Slam event of 2022 deserved, Ons versus Iga -- a worthy battle between the sport’s three-letter, first-name stars.
Swiatek, the game’s best returner, is the only player this year to break opponents’ serves more than half the time. In the first set against Jabeur, she scored three breaks in four games -- she landed all 19 of her returns in play, an absurd 100 percent. At the same time, Swiatek put 90 percent of her first serves in (19-for-20), winning three of her four service games.
Serving the first game of the second set, Swiatek encountered her first deuce game. Her response? She painted the lines from both sides, which brought a furious fist pump. In the second game of the set, Swiatek broke Jabeur for the third straight time.
And then Swiatek’s level dropped and Jabeur broke her in the fifth game to get back on serve. Swiatek, naturally, came back to break Jabeur for the fifth time in seven games.
Back on serve at 4-all, Swiatek faced three break points and somehow held for 5-4 on the way to the tiebreak.
The US Open, near the end of a long year, with all its atmospheric conditions, might be the toughest of the Grand Slam events to win. And in fact, given the impressive list of opponents, this was Swiatek’s statistically toughest road to a major title; the rank of her average opponent was 47, compared to 55 at this year’s Roland Garros and 78 for 2020 Roland Garros.
On Monday, Swiatek and Jabeur will be ranked, respectively, Nos.1 and No.2. They have scored the most victories on the Hologic WTA Tour over the past two years and are also one-two in the Race to the WTA Finals leaderboard. Both players were appearing in their second major final of the season.
But it was Swiatek who walked away with the bigger trophy and more prolific purse.
Upon receiving the $2.6 million winner's check, Swiatek got a laugh from the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium when she said, "I'm really glad that is not in cash."
wtatennis.com
This is real right?. Poland actually has a U.S. Open Champion in tennis?.
Somebody pinch me!.
After Aga Radwanska retired I honestly thought this moment would never come. Be it man or woman.
But to have Iga who's just 21 do it after winning Roland Garros earlier this year is just indescribably amazing.
I think the moment I will remember most (other than the one of Iga holding the trophy) is when she went to do the ESPN live interview and was surrounded by Polish people with flags and outfits in Polish colours chanting her name loudly and continuously.
Breaking into chants of thank you in Polish. At one point they started signing her Happy Birthday :D.
Absolutely fantastic the kind of reception you usually see for Rafa, Roger or Novak.
It's no wonder though with New York having the 2nd largest number of Polish contingent in the United States (the first being Chicago).
It's honestly a moment I will never forget.
Congratulations Iga for continuing to show your excellence in the sport of tennis and being yourself through all the challenges and accolades thrown your way in this incredible year.
7th title of 2022 and 10th overall. Astounding.
You truly are the pride of Poland.
And now a 3 time Grand Slam Champion!.
Jazda!.
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