The season 2023 happened to be all about Iga Swiatek. Her massive performance not only clinched titles but also won the hearts of the fans, making her a deserving figure for the top spot. While the Polish tennis star was the most deserving figure to be crowned with the best, Aryna Sabalenka‘s recent feat wasn’t appreciated by the fans.
Aryna Sabalenka, the tennis star who just stayed steps behind Swiatek throughout the season, was recently announced as the ITF world champion. While the stats suggested the Polish tennis star was ahead of her in the game, fans came forward to despise the choice made by the authorities.
Fans unhappy about Sabalenka being chosen as the ITF champion over Iga Swiatek
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The 2023 season brought both partnerships and rivalries that the world looked forward to. Among the top rankers, the rivalry between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka captivated the attention of fans because of the high intensity of the chase. While Swiatek ended the season with a total of 17 titles to her name, she surely stood way ahead of Sabalenka. Recently, the authorities crowned Sabalenka as the ITF Champion of the year which happened to be quite a surprise for the fans.
Aryna Sabalenka is an ITF World Champion for the first time 🌍
Sabalenka’s 2023 wrap: https://t.co/PqLMv6r8Mx pic.twitter.com/R9GJG98wQV
— ITF (@ITFTennis) December 14, 2023
As soon as the news of the 25-year-old winning the title aired on social media, fans, instead of congratulating, despised the champion over her victory. A fan, comparing her wins to that of Swiatek, said, “Ridiculous. Since when achieving less means being the World Champion.”
Ridiculous. Since when achieving less means being the World Champion.
— Jasmine ✨💞 1G4 💞✨ (@igababygoat) December 14, 2023
Ponting directly to Sabalenka’s recent defeat against the Polish tennis sensation at the WTA Finals, a fan wrote, “This is ridiculous! Iga clearly deserved it. Iga won six WTA titles a slam French Open & WTA finals. Iga also destroyed Aryna at WTA finals in straight sets.”
This is ridiculous! Iga clearly deserved it. Iga won six WTA titles a slam French Open & WTA finals. Iga also destroyed Aryna at WTA finals in straight sets.
— OrvilleLloydDouglas🇨🇦🏳️🌈 (@OrvilleLloyd) December 14, 2023
Another fan, presenting disbelief at the situation, reacted, “What a joke!”
What a joke!
— maggie (@maggie98992017) December 14, 2023
“Rigged,” a fan described the whole situation in just a word, presenting a direct insult to the authorities who presented the award.
Rigged
— alexf_ (@alexf_x) December 14, 2023
As the trail of comments continued, a fan, found no sense in the whole process, as he mentioned, “This is senseless! There was another player who performed better, in the tour.”
This is senseless!
There was another player who performed better, in the tour.
— David Marcano Salcedo (@D_Marca_Salce) December 14, 2023
With these and several others, the comments that fans posted on the major update, came out to be a great despise for the Belarusian tennis star. However, on a positive note, Sabalenka’s excitement for the upcoming season stays intact.
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Sabalenka expresses excitement for the upcoming season
As Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka clinched the prestigious title of the International Tennis Federation’s 2023 ITF World Champions, the Belarusian’s name is all over the news. While the fans are despising the choice of the authorities, the moment is undoubtedly a big one for the 25-year-old. Sabalenka celebrated her first ITF World Champion honor after a year full of chasing and being chased.
By securing her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and reaching the U.S. Open final, the tennis star proved her strong potential on the court. While narrowly missing the top spot in the WTA rankings, Sabalenka expressed her emotions by referring to the year 2023 as “incredible”. “I can’t wait to get back out on court for the new season in January,” she eagerly shared in an ITF statement.
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As the tennis star stands strong with her glorious title, fans do not seem to be happy at all with the current WTA events. However, the new season is knocking at the door, and players will be looking forward to dominating from the very start. Who among Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka do you think will start with a big win?
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