Iga Swiatek's WTA Finals exit also came with a negative personal record after the former world No. 1 lost back-to-back matches from a set up for the first time in her career.
On Monday, the 24-year-old Pole made a positive start against Elena Rybakina before the 2022 Wimbledon champion emphatically stormed back to win 3-6 6-1 6-0. Two days later, the Polish six-time Grand Slam champion returned to the court and once again took the opening set in her match. But for the second time in as many matches, the Pole ended up losing after Amanda Anisimova came back to win 6-7 (3) 6-4 6-2.
After going 1-2 in Riyadh, the current world No. 2 exited the WTA Finals in the group stage in back-to-back years.
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Swiatek hadn't lost from a set up in 10 months
Before Rybakina staged a comeback against Swiatek, the former world No. 1 hadn't lost a match from a set up since Madison Keys defeated her in the Australian Open semifinal.
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Meanwhile, when addressing her early WTA Finals exit - which came as a surprise - the 24-year-old Pole suggested it may have been karma.
I felt good mentally, physically, and tennis-wise also it was nice, looking at the conditions and everything. So I dont really get why I couldnt go out of the group. Maybe I won too much in the last years and this is karma. Its really hard for me to say," the reigning Wimbledon winner said after the Anisimova loss.
Swiatek's last two WTA Finals appearances may not have been great, but she is still a champion at the event after winning the prestigious season-ending tournament in 2023.
