Aryna Sabalenka hurt and threatened Iga Swiatek a lot this year, claims Patrick Mouratoglou

Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Iga Swiatek thrice in her career, with them being in the past few years

Aryna Sabalenka hurt and threatened Iga Swiatek a lot this year, claims Patrick Mouratoglou

Patrick Mouratoglou(L), Aryna Sabelenka adn Iga Swiatek(R) (Image via Sky Sports and tennisnet.com)

Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou claimed that Iga Swiatek has been hurt and threatened by Aryna Sabalenka this year. The final few months of the WTA season truly saw a fight for the top between the duo. With her fourth-round exit at the US Open, Swiatek was bumped down a spot from her World No.1 position. This automatically pushed Sabalenka to the top step.

However, with the WTA Finals title going to the Pole, she snatched back her spot from the Belarusian. Both players bested the rest of the players in their respective groups as they met on the court for the semi-final. Unfortunately for the former World No.1, Swiatek won the match and moved on to the final against Jessica Pegula. This made her regain her No. 1 position and finish the year as the year-end No. 1 player. This is her second consecutive year as the year-end No.1.

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American coach Patrick Mouratoglou had shared his opinion on Iga Swiatek through Tennis Majors. He said, referring to the World No.1’s loss of confidence at the US Open:

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She lost to Coco before the US Open. Of course, that played a role, as it hurt her confidence.

He also speculated that Swiatek is someone who holds a lot of doubts within herself. He explained that Aryna Sabalenka really hurt Iga Swiatek by threatening her confidence. This was a major reason why the four-time Grand Slam champion had so many faulters this year, according to the American coach.

Mouratoglou said: 

But when she starts to be threatened, when she starts to be beaten repeatedly, it affects her confidence a lot. That's why this year was more difficult because Sabalenka really hurt her this year.

Barring a few title-winning runs, Swiatek has been subject to a lot of failure this year. However, her triumph over Pegula in the WTA Final and her reinstation as the World No.1 ought to serve as a confidence boost to the Pole.

Patrick Mouratoglou was appreciative of Aryna Sabalenka’s improvement this year

The American coach claimed that Iga Swiatek dominated women’s tennis at the moment. However, he was also mindful of the decreasing gap between herself and the rest of the players. He was especially appreciative of Aryna Sabalenka and her great degree of improvement this year.

Aryna Sabalenka(Image via Tennis365)

Mouratoglou added:

Iga one more time ends the year as No.1 in the World, so we can talk about dominance. Of course there is less room between her and the other players. This year we have to realize that Sabalenka did an incredible job. She improved a lot.

He also claimed that Sabalenka was ‘dangerous’ and a threat to her Polish rival. Aryna Sabelenka had a great season this year. She won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open 2023. She was also very close to the US Open title with her reaching the final. However, Coco Gauff defeated her, and she won her maiden Slam this year as well.

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