Iga Świątek’s journey at the 2025 WTA Finals came to an abrupt halt, leaving the Polish tennis star both reflective and determined as she processed her early departure from Riyadh. Despite entering the season-ending championship as one of the top contenders, the former world No. 1 was unable to advance past the round-robin stage. In her post-match reflections, Świątek opened up about her emotions, mindset, and lessons learned.
What Was Iga Świątek’s Reaction to Missing Out on the Semifinals in Riyadh?
Speaking to the media following her final round-robin match, Świątek reflected on her performance and mindset. “Honestly, I did everything I could today, so no regrets,” she said. “I felt like I was really in the zone and had a positive mindset. Okay, maybe some balls went short or something, but tennis is not going to be perfect.
“I fought, and I really didn’t give up. It wasn’t enough, which makes me sad, but maybe we all need to find some understanding, because when you do everything and it’s still not enough, I guess it means you just need to get your tennis better.”
Iga Swiatek: “I felt good mentally, physically, and tennis-wise also it was nice, looking at the conditions and everything. So I don’t really get why I couldn’t go out of the group. Maybe I won too much in the last years and this is karma. It’s really hard for me to say (…)” pic.twitter.com/hKh44c1CTk
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) November 5, 2025
Świątek continued by addressing her confusion and frustration at the result. “I felt good mentally, physically, and tennis-wise. It was nice, considering the conditions and everything. So, I don’t really get why I couldn’t get out of the group, but maybe I won too much last year, and this is karma,” she said.
MORE: Iga Świątek Draws the Line as She Prioritizes Health Over the WTA’s Demanding Calendar
She added, “It’s really hard for me to say. It feels kind of weird, not what I was expecting. But from my experiences, if I put in so much intensity and grit and care that much, it usually pays off. So, we’ll see if I keep working, maybe it’s going to pay off or not.”
With this defeat, Świątek wrapped up her 2025 season with a 62-17 match record and earnings exceeding $9.4 million in prize money. Over the course of the year, she captured three titles: the Wimbledon Championships, the Cincinnati Open, and the Korea Open. The Polish star also made a strong run to the final in Bad Homburg, where she fell to Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
Świątek’s Match-by-Match Journey at the 2025 WTA Finals
The 2025 edition of the WTA Finals, held in Riyadh, featured an elite lineup split into two groups, with Świątek placed in the Serena Williams Group alongside Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, and Amanda Anisimova. The 24-year-old began her week in dominant fashion, defeating Keys 6-1, 6-2 in her opening group-stage encounter.
However, the tone of her tournament shifted in the next match against sixth seed Rybakina. Although Świątek managed to take the first set, she eventually fell 3-6, 6-1, 0-6 in a roller-coaster encounter.
The reaction says it all
Amanda Anisimova advances to the semifinals in Riyadh #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/A4ZpRLsLnI
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 5, 2025
Her fate in Riyadh was sealed in the final group match against Anisimova. In what became a winner-takes-all clash for a semifinal berth, Świątek was unable to maintain her composure despite taking the opening set in a tiebreak. Anisimova fought back strongly to win 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2, handing Świątek her second straight defeat and eliminating her from the tournament.
