Olivia Gadecki’s Impressive Journey in Mexico Ends as Runner-Up

Olivia Gadecki, a 22-year-old Australian tennis player, showcased her rising talent by reaching the finals of a WTA 500 tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. Despite her valiant efforts, she was unable to claim victory, losing to Poland’s fifth seed Magdalena Fręch. The final match concluded with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in favor of Fręch.

Gadecki’s journey to the final was remarkable and included impressive victories over several high-ranked players. She defeated 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, former Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, and Italy’s Martina Trevisan, a former top-20 player.

This breakout performance has propelled Gadecki from world number 152 to a career-high ranking of number 88, making her Australia’s top-ranked women’s player. Her previous best ranking was number 120. This accomplishment also improves her prospects for automatic qualification at the upcoming Australian Open in January.

After her final match, Gadecki expressed her gratitude towards her supporters: “This is quite humbling; massive congrats to Magdalena; you played very well. You made me feel the love and I’m so happy I’ve been able to play my first final here.” She also thanked her family and team for their support.

Magdalena Fręch, the victor of the Guadalajara tournament, has climbed to world number 32 following her first WTA title. She praised Gadecki’s performance, stating, “Dreams do come true. Let’s keep going, let’s win more.”

Gadecki’s feat makes her the first Australian woman to reach a WTA 500-level final since Ash Barty in 2022. In the match, Gadecki demonstrated her prowess and resilience, especially when navigating the pressure of maintaining her service game.