World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been named to TIME magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2023. Since 1999, the TIME 100 recognizes the movers and shakers across all industries and culture.
On a list that includes leaders and icons across sports, politics and culture, the 22-year-old Polish star landed on the list that includes Joe Biden, Beyoncé and Elon Musk.
How Swiatek's first year at No.1 stacks up against the greats
Swiatek is one of six athletes on the list, alongside Lionel Messi, Mikaela Shiffrin, Kylian Mbappé, Brittney Griner and Patrick Mahomes.
IGA INSANITY 😍
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 11, 2023
From all angles....#TennisParadise| @iga_swiatek pic.twitter.com/8D7SmI1a7L
Swiatek was included in the "Innovators" category. Shiffrin, who was included in the "Pioneers" group, wrote a short essay on Swiatek. The two have developed a strong connection over the years, recently linking up on Instagram Live for a chat.
'Would you ever play doubles with me?': Swiatek, Shiffrin link up
"As an athlete, and more importantly as a human, she embodies the kind of confidence that everyone should emulate -- the confidence of action over mere talk," Shiffrin wrote.
"To rise to the top of tennis with the limited resources she had coming from Poland is remarkable. She has ignited a nation and given the next generation a reason to believe they can also achieve something incredible."
