Iga Swiatek seems to be to defend her WTA Finals crown.
Historical past suggests it will not be simple.
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Solely seven ladies within the historical past of the season-ending championship have gained it in consecutive years.
The championship, thought of an important event outdoors the large 4, was based in 1972.
There have been 52 finals since then (cancelled in 2020 on account of COVID) and solely seven have been in a position to defend their crown in consecutive years.
It is a listing of who’s who amongst tennis greats.
Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin and Serena Williams.
Swiatek seems to be to hitch the listing.
It’s value mentioning that Navratilova gained an unbelievable 5 consecutive WTA Finals, whereas Seles and Williams achieved three titles.
Swiatek has a protracted approach to go earlier than he may even take into consideration searching for a 3rd consecutive title.
First issues first, you must get quantity two.
And if he needs quantity two, the Polish-born star should earn it.
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Swiatek will look to be the final girl standing amongst an extremely stacked discipline.
There’s the highest seeded participant and present primary on the planet, Aryna Sabalenka, who gained the Australian Open and US Open titles.
Then there’s Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula and Zheng Qinwen full the sector of eight.
Regardless of how loaded the event is, Swiatek is enjoying among the greatest tennis of his profession.
He’s at present ranked quantity two on the planet and is coming off a 12 months during which he gained his third consecutive French Open.
If she efficiently defends her crown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Swiatek will stroll away with document prize cash.
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Swiatek would earn a whopping $4.45 million and presumably take dwelling as a lot as $5,155,000 if she finishes the event undefeated.
The earlier document quantity was $4.42 million, awarded to 2019 WTA Finals champion Ashleigh Barty.
Not solely will Swiatek have the possibility to win $5 million, however she can even have the possibility to dethrone Sabalenka because the primary participant on the planet, if she wins the event.
There’s a lot at stake for Swiatek this weekend.
All he has to do is one thing only a few have completed of their sport.
Good luck.
