WTA Match Of The Year (Probably)

Gill Gross discusses the 2024 Madrid final between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
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Gill Gross provides in-depth ATP tennis analysis. Match breakdowns, draw previews, the latest news, and other tennis insights...
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[@Vescilla]

I'm so happy you're talking about WTA, I think it deserves some attention!

[@sarathtech91]

I was frequently visiting the channel hoping to see something about the women's final and am super happy to see this. More WTA stuff please! Saba, Ryba and Iga have been really putting on a show! The three best matches of Madrid for me were on the womens side. Iga vs Saba - Finals Saba vs Ryba - Semi Saba vs Collins

[@Kubwaw]

It was an insane match. No choke, just pure show from start to finish.

[@krytyczka]

More women's tennis on this channel, pls Gill :))

[@prestondobber]

Second this!

[@malekat8539]

Idk if his schedule allows it, but it'll be interesting to see

[@Pavlovski]

No thanks

[@TophoriMusic]

Please no. ESPN already forces it down our throat.

[@rublo1]

No thanks

[@postive-vibes]

Since Iga doesn't have the most powerful serve, serving into the body and/or using the kick serve is her best bet, and she did it well against Aryna.

[@lucine.resende]

This was such a thrilling match! Iga was pretty clutch to be able to get the win. This year she's adjusted to Madrid conditions better than in 2023. Glad to see such a competitive final.

[@lchitzchitsike9997]

What a quality match!!!

[@roksancheb7688]

Iga's coach told her to serve to the forehand 🙂 you could hear his remarks during the match

[@idc9053]

Iga went a couple times to Sabalenka's BH at the beginning of the match, and her coach was telling her to try to go to Aryna's FH basically anytime she can, and that's what she did. Sabalenka never figured out a better response

[@tasaneewantanakul8382]

Thank for Amazing Analysis !!!!!!!

[@haniotis3421]

The fast clay in Madrid wasn't enough for Aryna to win. Imagine the score if the surface were slower. Now I'm going to capitalize on her opponent(s)' excellent odds at RG(might be one opponent only haha).

[@martyna2371]

Świątek has much advantage over Sabalenka in h2h, Rybakina is much more of a problem for her. But this match was much closer than others. It's interesting to see in the weeks to come whether it's just because of Sabalenka's favorite surface (Madrid) or because Sabalenka has raised her level.

[@luki2806]

Oh great episode 😳🤩

[@freshname]

OMG great insight thank you

[@virtuomax]

Thank you for covering ladies final. More please in the future. I'm only following WTA and there is so little match analysis of woman matches. Thank you again.

[@nancyp7019]

Thanks Gill😊

[@fretstain]

man what a bummer that tennistv doesn't include the WTA...

[@agatafran6810]

loooove your comment ❤️ this match was sooooooo good !!! please more WTA!!!!

[@leonardobraynen1524]

The women's tour is pure fire right now... They have their own BIG 3, *IGA, SABALENKA, RYBAKINA*

[@framesmagazine]

Gil, I would love to interview you for my upcoming series of conversations with interesting individuals. What’s the best way to reach out?

[@user-ri3is5jr7y]

Madrid open this year is a huge slap for those gender discriminator who keeps complaining on equal wedges. WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT IS AMAZING AND THEY ARE PUTTING IN ALL THE EFFORT TO PUT ON A SHOW FOR US JUST LIKE THE MALES. Also it's fucking 21st century for god sake so stop complaining and enjoying the game OR TURN OFF THE TV AND TRY TO LIVE A LIFE!!!

[@dariusz_darson_8968]

Here it is, thank you haha 😅

[@nguoibantotnhat]

The greatest final of the women tennis in years. Absolutely nothing seperates these two ladies. To me Iga won in the end because she was a fresher player coming to the final due to her more favourable draw.

[@jukkao.parviainen8669]

Lot of if’s….I would say the hard match Aryna won was against Elena. Otherwise she should have ended more in two sets. Anyway, in the interview after the match, she said it was good for her to get practice (because prevtournaments after AO have not been so great for her). But of course, Iga had 20 games and Aryna 60 games when they entered to the final. On the other side, the court conditions were for Aryna except wind. In the difficult conditions Iga is able to adjust better like we saw in Cancun WTA Finals. Rome and RG are much more slower than Madrid. Anyway congrats to Aryna, like Iga said they both deserved to win.

[@stef2330]

There is a gap. Do not disrespect Iga a 4 time major champion and multiple other accolades Aryna would kill to have.

[@jaymoosaratzi1909]

Should Sabalenka’s growlings be sanctioned due to the length of the noise. most of the time is still “howling” right at the point opponent is going to hit the ball, sometimes is still going at the moment her opponents are hitting the ball. Honestly, it can be an annoying distraction to the player in the other side of the net.

[@TheSuperjunebug]

I recall a few players being asked about that and the two I recall (Gauff and Jabeur, I think) were not bothered by that.

[@kjtarr1788]

Your question is dated and the answer has been given to you. There will not be penalties for grunting. Bitching about it will get you nothing. Deal with it or do not watch if it bothers you so acutely. I knew there’d be some lameo complaining about grunting, and here you are.

[@eohappy]

I wonder why nobody talks about screams more reminding of animal growls. I have no joy watching a match with sounds like that. It would not be allowed in many other sports.

[@kleefton]

Because you are in a minority of people who cant help but bitch and moan about anything. Grunting is part of the sport. Deal with it or stop watching.

[@kjtarr1788]

What a lame take. Bitching about grunting is so freakin’ stupid. Deal with it, or do not watch. Are you a tennis fan if this is your opinion? I say that you’re not.

[@Boymanjusri]

Iga’s forehand is , and will always be a problem, against Rybakina and Sabalenka. Her forehand is just too much spin and not enough speed, and often times not deep enough, slow speed, sitting there waiting to be attacked. Saba lost not because she had way too much mistakes. That’s the only reason..

[@Boymanjusri]

Sabalenka lost not because Iga neutralized her by her defense, but because she had too much mistakes. If Iga is playing against Rybakina, her defense and her forehand would not be enough to win. Again, Iga has no slices in defense, she has no drop shot, she does not go to the net. I don’t understand why she is the queen of clay. Her game is too one dimensional. She can play a more tactic game rather than wholly relying on her baseline game. When she got stuck, has a bad day. She has no plan B, no way out.

[@jukkao.parviainen8669]

You probably didn’t look her previous matches in the tournament, there were slices and drop shots. On the clay the top spin is the most effective weapon, with her extreme western forehand grip she is able to create 2500-3000 rpm top spin. Same is with her second serve, the ball just jumps high and “escapes” from the opponent. On the top this, in the final, her first serve with 185 km/h to the body or to T is lethal if she can keep it up.

[@Rene_Moor3095]

Iga has slices in defense, she has drop shot, she does go to the net. However, with players like Sabalenka or Rybakina, who hit very hard tactically, she doesn't do that - she can do those strokes, but they are not yet at such a level to use them in a game with Sabalenka or Rybakina (she practices it in training). The key in Iga's game with Sabalenka and Rybakina at this stage of her career is elsewhere. Such plays as drop shots are allowed by Iga when she doesn't have to defend all the time, and with the game of such hard hitting players there is simply no room for such hits. Probably when she will be more confident with these strokes then maybe she will start using them in the game with Sabalenka, but for now there is no need either. Tactically, what she has in her weapon is enough.

[@jukkao.parviainen8669]

How Iga won the last point against Jabeur in WTA Finals, with the drop shot. Jabeur, who is known for her brilliant drop shots. That was a statement shot from Iga.