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Iga Swiatek Indian Wells 2021
Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments, WTA Tennis Players

‘I love it’ – Iga Swiatek reveals strong motivation ahead of WTA Finals


Iga Swiatek is making her debut at the WTA Finals this week, and has spoken about one of her biggest sources of drive on the tour.

The world number nine also qualified for last year’s Finals, but the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

After the usual venue of Shenzhen, China was deemed not viable this year, the event is taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Lucky for Swiatek, fans will be present at the tournament too, something that really drives the Pole to work hard.

“When I have a hard time finding the motivation to practice I always remember that tennis is entertainment,” Swiatek told the New York Times.

“I love playing in stadiums, especially when I win, and I love the support I get from people.”

Swiatek will be hoping to emulate national icon and highest ranked Polish singles player ever Agnieszka Radwanska.

The former world number two won the 2015 WTA Finals, defeating Petra Kvitova in the final to do so.

This year, Swiatek is one of six debutants at the WTA Finals. Those women are Aryna Sabalenka, Barbora Krejcikova, Maria Sakkari, Swiatek, Paula Badosa and Anett Kontaveit.

Only world number four Karolina Pliskova and number five Garbine Muguruza have competed at the event previously.

Krejcikova has technically played the event before, but in doubles not singles. Furthermore, she is the only 2021 Slam champion competing in the singles.

Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty chose not to play the event, while Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka and US Open champion Emma Raducanu did not qualify.

Finally, men’s number nine and compatriot Hubert Hurkacz is also making his debut in the equivalent men’s event, the ATP Finals in Turin.

He claimed the last qualifying spot with his results at the Paris Masters.


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