The 21-year-old from Warsaw won the French and US Open titles last year as well as setting the longest unbeaten run in the women’s game in the 21^st century, with a third-round defeat at Wimbledon ending her 37-match streak.

She earned 215,573 votes to finish in front of speedway rider Bartosz Zmarzlik, who earned 135,619 and World Cup footballer Robert Lewandowski, who received 120,632 votes.

Lewandowski, last year’s winner, nominated her for the honour this year, and Świątek admitted after her season-ending semi-final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in Forth Worth that this year's ballot was on her mind.

"Two years ago, I made it to the second place. Lewandowski was first," she said.

"This year, I'm pretty curious what's gonna happen!"

Unable to attend the gala in person, Świątek credited the support she received in her history-making 2022 season in a scenic social media post from an Australian beach from where she acknowledged the award.

After helping Poland reach the semi-finals of the United Cup, Świątek withdrew from this week's Adelaide International 2 with an injury to her right shoulder but is due to take part as top seed and defending champion at the Australian Open which starts on Monday (January 16).

Jadwiga Jedrzejowska, Poland's best player prior to the advent of open era tennis in 1968, won the award in 1936 and 1937.