PARIS — If the 2022 season ended today, Iga Swiatek wouldn’t mind. By every measure, the year has been a success, no matter what happens in the future. It’s a perspective the world’s No. 1 keeps in mind as she puts her 28-game winning streak on the line at Roland Garros.
Inside Swiatek’s Rise: Blistering Forehands And Unparalleled Aggression
“I have not set similar goals [like] reaching a semi-final or a final,” Swiatek told reporters on Media Day at the French Open. “I’m aware that this series may be coming to an end soon so I don’t want to be heartbroken when it comes to happening. I think it’s very healthy to be aware of that.
“So I’m just going to take it game by game again, like I did in previous tournaments, and we’ll see, to be honest. I don’t mind because I already have so many points and I’m pretty happy with the last tournaments I’ve had I think this season is already a success for me.”
Roland Garros draw analysis
Swiatek, Roland Garros champion in 2020, has won the last five tournaments she has played, four of which have been at WTA 1000 level. In March, she became the youngest player to win the Sunshine Double, in Indian Wells and Miami, and the first player to win the first three WTA 1000 events of the season. The only 1000 tournament she didn’t win was the one she didn’t play when she withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open.
Everything you need to know about Swiatek’s streak
It’s easy to forget that Swiatek already has a Slam semifinal under her belt this season. In January, she made it to the last four in Melbourne, falling in straight sets to Danielle Collins.
“It’s a completely different chapter because then I was just focused on improving my game on hard courts,” said Swiatek. “The semi-final was a great performance for me and pretty solid, I showed a pretty solid game.
“But it also shows that at the beginning of the season the semi-final was a great success. It’s nice to remember what kind of goals I had in the beginning. So I’m not going to go crazy now and say I will I won’t be happy until I win, because that’s not true.”
But that was then.
On Friday, during the press conference of Ons Jabeur on the media day, Swiatek quickly interrupted the interview with the Tunisian to retrieve her water bottle from under the stage. Missing nothing, Jabeur joked, “So they asked me how to beat you. Can you answer them? I couldn’t find an answer.”
Swiatek looked at her water bottle. “You’re probably pouring something in here,” Swiatek replied, jokingly.
That is the atmosphere around Swiatek at the moment, both in the dressing room and Swiatke himself. She earned that respect and faith the hard way.
“I’m more relaxed because like I said I have so many points and I feel like my position in the WTA, I worked for it,” said Swiatek. “I’ve proven to myself and other people that I can be at the top of the game. I didn’t have that much confidence in the past. So this year I feel a lot more calm.”
#Iga #Swiatek #plays #house #money #French #Open
Comments
Post a Comment