Iga Swiatek backed to be ‘even better’ in 2024 and labelled ‘by far the Australian Open favourite’
Former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs believes Iga Swiatek is “by far the favourite now” going into the 2024 Australian Open after her brilliant end to the season.
The tennis commentator and analyst, a former coach of Serena Williams, thinks Swiatek “learned a lot about herself this year” and expects the Polish star to be “even better” in 2024.
Following an incredible 2022 campaign, Swiatek claimed a tour-leading six titles in 2023, including a third French Open crown, and compiled a brilliant 68-11 (86.1%) record during another stellar year.
The 22-year-old has finished as the WTA year-end No 1 in each of the last two seasons, having edged Aryna Sabalenka in the final event this year with her triumph at the WTA Finals.
Swiatek ended 2023 on an 11-match winning streak – losing just one set during this run – having also claimed the WTA 1000 title in Beijing in October.
Thank you for this acknowledgement and recognition. See you soon! ☺️ https://t.co/RwznUJori7
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) December 11, 2023
The four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to win the Australian Open, with her best result a run to the semi-finals in 2022, when she lost to Danielle Collins. She was beaten in the fourth round of the Melbourne Major by Elena Rybakina this year.
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule: Where will the world No 1 begin her new season?
World No 2 Sabalenka is the defending Australian Open champion, having defeated Rybakina in three sets in the 2023 final to claim her maiden Grand Slam title.
Speaking on an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs expressed that she feels Swiatek will clearly be the player to beat at the year’s first Major in January.
“I think she (Swiatek) is by far the favourite now going into the Australian Open but I think what she did this year was a learning experience about how to handle the pressure,” the Australian said.
“At the start of the year, I know that she was very aware of her winning streak from the year before. I know that she was putting a ton of pressure on herself to have that same year and was a little bit sort of overwhelmed by it in some respects.
“I think she learned a lot about herself this year and I think she’s going to be even better next year.”
Stubbs, who won 60 WTA doubles titles including four Grand Slams, has also coached Karolina Pliskova, Samantha Stosur and Eugenie Bouchard. The 52-year-old, who was ranked as high as No 64 in singles, played between 1992 and 2011.
