World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is hoping to win Poland's Sports Personality of the Year award after losing out to then Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski the last two years.
Swiatek finished second in 2020 after winning the French Open but could now beat Lewandowski, who now plays for Barcelona, to the award after enjoying a brilliant 2022. Swiatek has taken the world No. 1 crown from the retiring Ash Barty and went on to win both the French Open and the US Open and gone on a 37 game winning streak - the longest in the WTA this century.
And after ending the season with a semi-final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA Finals, Swiatek said: "Two years ago, I made it to second place. Lewandowski was first.
"This year I'm pretty curious what's gonna happen! But I'm going to be in Australia anyway; unfortunately, it's not like I'm going to have plenty of time to enjoy these kinds of things, but I would love to come!"
Reflecting on her year, Swiatek described it as "a season that I wouldn't even dream of". She said: "It's pretty crazy.
"It's hard for me to handle all of that and summarise it because I felt like I started the season 10 years ago and I'm so proud of myself that I could be ready for every tournament and give my all and be able to be fresh mentally and physically, even for the last one. It's a season that I wouldn't even dream of.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I've been waiting for that moment [the season ends]. Because last week, basically it was pretty hard to see the finish line but still be fully motivated and ready for every match.
"On one hand, I'm sad that I lost, but on the other hand, I have one more day off. That's something on the bright side.
"This season has been so intense and I'm so proud of myself that I could play so well till the end of it. I'm happy that it's done."
