Polish tennis star Inga Swietake confirmed her claim to the world No. 1 ranking on Saturday with a straight-sets win over Naomi Osaka at the Miami Open.
Sweetek won the match 6-4, 6-0.
In a brief speech after his victory, 20-year-old Svyatek thanked his team and fans and also sent a message to Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia for weeks: "Stay strong," Svyatek said.
Following her recent win at Indian Wells and the sudden retirement of Ashleigh Barty, who took the No. 1 spot, Miami was already guaranteed to climb to the top of the women's rankings ahead of the championships.
The rankings will be released on Monday.
Saturday's win was historic for Sweetek - in more ways than one.
She is the fourth woman to win a sunshine double – both Indian Wells and Miami – with Victoria Azarenka last doing so in 2016 and the first to win three Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournaments in one season.
And she will be the first Polish player - male or female - to reach the top ranking in singles tennis.
"It's really unbelievable to see your journey," Osaka told Sweetek after the match. "I hope you continue to have fun."
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka was playing her first final since winning the 2021 Australian Open.
In her speech after Saturday's match, Osaka thanked her supporters and fans, saying, "I know I haven't been in this position for a minute."
"I know it's not the result you guys wanted, but I don't know, I'm having a lot of fun here, so I hope I can work harder and get more opportunities to be in this position." I can do it again," she said.
Osaka also thanked his team for their ongoing support, including "after things like what happened two weeks ago".
Osaka said, "He's like the rock that lays by my side. I just thank you guys so much."
Last month at Indian Wells, Osaka was surrounded by spectators in her second round match against Veronika Kudermatova.
"Naomi, you sock," shouted spectators after the first game of the match, a remark that brought the tennis player to tears on the court. It is not clear whether the spectator was identified and removed from the venue. Osaka eventually lost the match in straight sets.