Rafael Nadal: Iga Świątek emulates idol's impressive 2022 record

Iga Świątek has become the first WTA player to reach 20 victories in 2022, matching the record set by Rafael Nadal on the ATP Tour. 

Świątek triumphed at Indian Wells yesterday, earning a second successive WTA 1000 title and the third of her career. 

She defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1, and rose to world number two as a result. 

“It’s pretty surreal for now,” Świątek said after her win. “I have to look at it and I have to check the rankings by myself and just see it. 

“Right now it’s too surreal to describe it, honestly. But for sure I want to go higher because I feel like getting the number one is closer and closer.”

Świątek is now the first player since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009 to win five or more titles before turning 21, having won Roland Garros in 2020, the Adelaide International and Rome Open in 2021, and the Doha Open and Indian Wells this year.

The 20-year-old joins world number one Ashleigh Barty as the second player to win two titles this season, while leading the WTA Tour with four top 10 wins. 

The first players to reach 2️⃣0️⃣ wins this season.@atptour