Iga Swiatek is delighted by the consistency levels she is demonstrating after completing a successful defence of her Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title on Sunday.
The world number one overcame Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to become the first back-to-back winner of the Stuttgart crown since Angelique Kerber (2015 and 2016).
Swiatek, who was appearing in her first tournament after a rib injury, claimed her second silverware of the season, in which she also completed a successful title defence in Doha.
The Pole has plenty of ranking points to defend this term having won eight titles during a dominant 2022 campaign.
Swiatek was also a finalist in Dubai and, despite a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open, she is pleasantly surprised to have started 2023 in a similar vein of form.
"Honestly, the beginning of the season was so tough that I'm happy to be in that place now," Swiatek said during her post-match press conference.
"I just hope I'm going to continue having that good mindset without looking at all this stuff [defending points]. I was able to do that here. I really like playing on clay, so I just hope I'm going focus on just playing.
"I'm just pretty proud of my consistency, because when I was consistent on another level, it was nice, but this level, it's even over my expectations.
"Last year was really, really tough, and I felt like this season may be tough because of what people are saying and expectations from the outside. Also, I knew how it is to win these tournaments in a row.
"Now, I feel like I just can use my experience a little bit more. I'm just happy that I'm world number one for more than a year, and it's an exciting time."
LATEST STORIES
Halep questions 'big difference' in doping punishments after Swiatek ban
- 2024-11-29 08:06:12
- Hits 98
Swiatek accepts one-month suspension after testing positive for banned substance
- 2024-11-28 09:51:55
- Hits 79
Sabalenka scoops WTA Player of the Year award after stellar 2024 season
- 2024-12-10 04:25:42
- Hits 73
Optimistic Raducanu 'on a journey of exploration' ahead of 2025 season
- 2024-12-09 10:00:15
- Hits 73