Iga ÅšwiÄ…tek will donate her runners-up prize money from the Ostrava Open to mental health charities in Poland.

The world number one was defeated by Barbora Krejčíková in a thrilling encounter in the Ostrava Open final.

Krejčíková came back from one set down to beat Świątek 5-7, 7-6, 6-3, delighting the home crowd at the ČEZ Aréna in the Czech Republic.

Despite losing out on the WTA 500 title, ÅšwiÄ…tek made a touching move after the final.

Iga ÅšwiÄ…tek donates prize money

Świątek revealed she would be donating her prize pot – $71,960 (£65,000) – to non-profit organisations in Poland which focus on mental health issues.

"I really wanted to play well here to have a big amount of money to donate … and I'm pretty happy that I could do that," she said in her post-match press conference.

"I really want to spread awareness and let people know that they can use the help if they need it, or help others if they have resources. I'm pretty happy to use my position that way."

Video: Watch Iga ÅšwiÄ…tek make emotional speech at Ostrava Open

ÅšwiÄ…tek first donated prize money to a mental health charity last year during Indian Wells.

The 21-year-old, who has often discussed working with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz since winning the 2020 French Open, wanted to honour World Mental Health Day.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Iga Swiatek of Poland talks during a press conference after defeating Ons Jabeur of Tunisia after their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Barbora Krejčíková beats Iga Świątek in Ostrava

Świątek saved five Championship points against Krejčíková before finally conceding defeat in Ostrava.

It was the first time ÅšwiÄ…tek had lost in a final since April 2019, when she was beaten by Polona Hercog at the Ladies Open Lugano.

The young star then won 10 finals in a row, clinching two French Open titles and one US Open title during that period.

Krejčíková also ended her opponent’s 21-set winning streak. Świątek has now only dropped five sets in a professional final.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 23: Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic in action against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia during the Qatar TotalEnergies Open - Day Four at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 23, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)

It was always going to be a difficult task against Krejčíková, who is on a nine-match winning streak herself.

The 26-year-old, who won last year’s French Open, also triumphed at the Tallinn Open at the start of the month.

She had struggled to put together a good run of form earlier this year due to injury, but now seems to be finding her feet again.

“I'm really pleased that everything that I went through and everything that happened, it changed me and gave me extra energy,” said Krejčíková.

“I think I'm a different player, a different person. I'm really happy to be part of the big game again.”