Iga Swiatek: Set to Make WTA Rankings History in 2024

Former WTA Tour pro Pam Shriver believes Iga Swiatek is well-equipped to join an elite club in 2024.

Shriver believes Swiatek has the quality to become just the fifth woman in history to finish as year-end No 1 for three seasons in a row.

In 2024, Swiatek is defending only one major title instead of the two she did in 2023, and her closest pursuers on the WTA Rankings, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, will each defend 2000 points, as well as Slam winners in Australia and New York.

Shriver believes that Swiatek has shown a lot more grit than people expected through a tough 2023 season, where she still did exceptionally well, especially to reclaim the top ranking spot in the final event of the season with a stunning WTA Finals win in Cancun.

The 21-time Grand Slam doubles champion believes that there is no stronger bet to finish the year as WTA No 1 than Iga Swiatek.

She feels that consistency gives the Pole a significant edge at a time when many of her rivals are mercurial players prone to severe peaks and valleys of form.

“If I had to bet on somebody to be No.1 at the end of next year, I’d bet on Iga. Why? She’s just the most consistent. She knows what it takes to get it done across the 11-month calendar,” Shriver told the WTA.

Shriver believes that Swiatek has done really well to surround herself with a good team that keep her in the right frame of mind to compete as well as looking after her physical conditioning.

Swiatek has shown herself to be much tougher than people thought she was, according to Shriver, who believes there will be more surprises from the four-time Grand Slam winner in 2024.

Shriver credits Swiatek’s incredible professionalism as yet another factor that has propelled her to and kept her at the top of the WTA’s rankings.

She feels that Swiatek has a quiet determination to prove how good she is on the court and will not be stopped in 2024.

“Iga has a great team around her, and she knows when she needs to not play. Plus, she’s really disciplined,” Shriver went on.

“At 22, you know she’s going to add some subtle things to her game. And don’t forget that the first time she reached No 1, it was because Barty retired. This time, Iga went and grabbed it back. In terms of grit and intensity, I like what I saw there.”

Swiatek will open her season at the United Cup team event representing Poland from 29 December 2023.

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