By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday August 25, 2023
Taking part in with a goal on her again in 2023 hasn’t been such a nasty expertise for Iga Swiatek.
The highest-ranked Pole, who will play for her fifth main title throughout this yr’s US Open, says that she has realized rather a lot from being the hunted reasonably than the hunter. Her destiny was sealed when she reeled off 37 consecutive wins in 2022, after which completed her Grand Slam season by profitable her first US Open title.
The remainder of the tour had no alternative however to rally. They’ve been enjoying catchup ever sincd, specializing in discovering methods to beat her.
“I might say firstly of this season was fairly powerful for me,” Swiatek stated. “I realized essentially the most as a result of I felt like all people began to research my sport, to study a bit of bit extra. They sort of targeted on profitable in opposition to me. So it wasn’t simple. I felt that.”
Relatively than really feel sorry for herself, Swiatek took it upon herself to lift her sport even increased.
“Then again, if you wish to be the perfect participant on the earth, you must be prepared for that, she stated. “I realized that I ought to simply deal with myself, probably not take into consideration rankings and factors, simply deal with growing as a participant as a result of there are lots of issues I wish to change or enhance.”
With 50 wins and 4 titles on the season, Swiatek has confirmed that she will be able to fend off the premier forces within the sport.
Swiatek received her fourth main title at Roland-Garros this yr, turning into the fifth energetic participant – male or feminine – to carry at the least 4 majors. She’s very happy to tackle the challenges that different high gamers comparable to Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and coco Gauff are delivering to her facet of the courtroom.
Swiatek believes she doesn’t must overthink issues – she simply must proceed studying and evolving as a participant.
Once I actually dig into work arduous, that is the time the place I progress essentially the most, when my tennis is simply getting higher,” she stated. “So I realized that you simply should not actually simply overanalyze it or give it some thought. You need to simply play the sport the identical approach as you’d in case your rating can be decrease.
“You simply have to make use of the expertise, for certain, and the boldness, however nonetheless keep in mind that an important factor is to develop as a participant.
“I am nonetheless 22, so I’ve rather a lot to study.”