Key Takeaways
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Swiatek defeats Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 in Toronto final
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First title of 2026, 26th career crown, 12th WTA 1000
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Moves past Sabalenka (11) and now trails Serena Williams (13)
Swiatek dominates Rybakina in Toronto
Iga Swiatek capped a stellar run at the National Bank Open with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory over World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in just 75 minutes. The triumph secured her first title of the 2026 season, the 26th of her career, and her 12th WTA 1000 crown. With this win, she surpassed Aryna Sabalenka’s tally of 11 WTA 1000 titles, now trailing only Serena Williams, who holds 13 since the format’s introduction in 2009.
Swiatek reflects on her journey
“It means a lot. Um yeah, I’m speechless a little bit because the journey has been bumpy this season,” Swiatek admitted after lifting the trophy. She emphasized the importance of staying patient and focused despite frustrations earlier in the year. “Sometimes I was impatient throughout the season, seeking it. Maybe my game was not ready. So, I’m happy at the end I stayed focused on just grinding and improving because that’s the most important thing.”
Mental strength and resilience
Swiatek highlighted how her mental and physical preparation aligned perfectly during the Toronto run. “For sure best week of the season so far,” she said, noting how her tennis, physicality, and mental work clicked together. She also addressed the challenge of dealing with external criticism: “The best thing about these two weeks for me was that I could kind of let it go. This anger came after I won, but during the whole process I was really focused on just growing and progressing.”
Looking ahead
Her victory not only boosts confidence heading into the US Open but also reshapes the ranking battle at the top of women’s tennis. Swiatek’s ability to silence outside noise and channel her energy into performance underscores her resilience. “It’s good to focus on how to create space for you to just focus on yourself. It’s not so easy to do that, but I worked hard to block out all this unnecessary noise,” she explained.
WTA Cincinnati - Iga Swiatek's projected path
Iga Swiatek in 2026
At the moment ranked no.8, Iga played her last match on the 13th of August when she beat world no.2 Elena Rybakina 6-2 6-3 in the final in Toronto to win her 27th career title.
At the moment, during this season Iga owns a 29-12 record. Swiatek has won 1 title in Toronto.
