Seoul: World No. 2 Iga Swiatek expressed her pride on Sunday after achieving a remarkable comeback to clinch her first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title in Seoul. Swiatek, the 2025 Wimbledon winner, overcame Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova with a scoreline of 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 in a match that stretched over two hours and 43 minutes at the Olympic Park Tennis Center.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Swiatek had advanced to the final in Seoul without dropping a set but appeared unsettled in the opening set of the final. She quickly fell behind 4-1 before many of the approximately 9,500 spectators had even settled into their seats, ultimately losing the set 6-1 in just half an hour. However, Swiatek managed to secure the second set through a tiebreak and completed her comeback by edging Alexandrova 7-5 in the third set, marking her 25th WTA title.
The 24-year-old Polish player expressed her satisfaction with the victory, stating, “For sure, I’m proud of this achievement today. It wasn’t the easiest day, you know.” She acknowledged a slow start and praised Alexandrova’s performance, noting her own perseverance and hope as key to her success. Swiatek shared her intention to stay in South Korea a few more days, having developed a fondness for the country and its capital.
During the on-court trophy ceremony, Swiatek demonstrated her appreciation for the local culture by learning the Korean phrase for “Thanks for coming.” She expressed a desire to expand her Korean vocabulary for future visits, highlighting her enthusiasm for the country. The tournament held special significance for Swiatek due to her family’s connection to South Korea; her father, Tomasz, had competed in rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Swiatek also reflected on the support she received throughout the tournament, acknowledging the positive atmosphere created by the fans. “Honestly, it’s been a great atmosphere throughout the whole tournament,” she remarked. She credited the support as an important factor in her determination to fight and improve her performance during the match.