Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal honored as ITF World Champions

By The Associated Press

FILE - Rafael Nadal, of Spain, right, greets compatriot Carlos Alcaraz after defeating him in the men's singles semifinals at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indian Wells, Calif. Teenager Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest year-end No. 1 in the history of the ATP computerized rankings. He joins fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal as the first players from the same country to claim the top two spots at the close of a season since Americans Pete Sampras and Michael Chang did it in 1996.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Mark J. Terrill]

LONDON (AP) — Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal have been honored by the International Tennis Federation as its 2022 ITF World Champions after each claimed two Grand Slam titles this season. The ITF determines its awards based on criteria that include all tournaments and give special weight to the four major championships and two team events, the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup. Nadal won despite finishing No. 2 in the ATP rankings behind No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, while Swiatek topped the year-end WTA rankings. It’s Nadal’s fifth ITF honor, following 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2019. This is Swiatek’s first.