Iga Swiatek explains in detail how she went from dominant to ‘target’

Iga Swiatek gave a very detailed explanation and came up with some interesting points when she was asked if it is true that women’s tennis is constantly developing and that the level of the game is better today than it was five years ago. The Pole used her own example to explain why nothing is self-evident and that you have to constantly improve.

In recent years, the Polish superstar has been the best and most successful WTA player, but she is not as dominant as Serena Williams was back then. Several other players have also won Grand Slams in recent seasons and are serious contenders for the biggest titles, notably Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina.

In addition to the top four on the WTA Tour, others have also made breakthroughs at the Slam and WTA 1000 level. And since there are always a few top favorites and several others who are always seen as potential threats, some would argue that this is one of the most exciting and best competitions to have taken place on the Tour in the 21st century.

This year, Sabalenka won the Australian Open, Swiatek claimed her third consecutive title at Roland Garros, while Barbora Krejcikova claimed the top prize at Wimbledon.

“Well, I think it’s difficult for me to judge the whole level of the game because I look at myself mostly and probably a few other players, you know. So it’s difficult for me to judge whether we’re playing better tennis than tennis, you know, five years ago,” the Polish five-time Major winner explained.

“I definitely think we’re playing better tennis than, say, 20 years ago, because our physicality is getting better, and some other things. I think people are improving a little bit in general. But it’s still, I mean, I’m not an expert. I haven’t watched a lot of matches in the past to know exactly.”

Swiatek: I dominated, but then I became a target…

Shortly before Ashleigh Barty’s stunning retirement in March 2022, the Pole’s astonishing winning streak began. She eventually went about five months without a loss, before Alize Cornet ended her streak at 37 consecutive victories at Wimbledon that year.

In that period between February and July 2022, many wondered if Swiatek would become the next Williams and if there would be anyone who could challenge her. But then the 2023 season started and the Pole lost in shocking fashion in the round of 16 of the Australian Open, while Sabalenka became a Grand Slam champion.

Although the current world number 1 won Roland Garros last year, it was clear that she was no longer as dominant as a year earlier.

And when answering a question she was asked at this year’s US Open, the 23-year-old explained that everything was going great until she became the target. The competition had figured out how to play her and then she had to come up with something new.

“But you definitely have to get better because I would say, like, becoming number 1, it happened suddenly for me, but in the beginning I felt like my opponents didn’t really know what to expect from me and how I play. I think 2023 was a challenge because I had a target on my back and also players were really learning my style of play, so I think you always have to, yeah, learn and try to have more variety and a lot of options on the court because it’s not like you can keep playing the same tennis. People will figure it out, and it will be much harder to win,” Swiatek explained.

Swiatek: You might stay there for a while, but…

After losing the world No. 1 position to the Belarusian at the 2023 US Open, the Pole went back to the drawing board, changed a few things and managed to win the WTA Finals and regain the top spot.

“So yeah, I think in those terms rather than whether I, you know, whether tennis is getting better in general, because it’s difficult for me to judge. But I think, yeah, you have to mix your game a little bit, because in the beginning you might be there for a while, but then everyone will analyse you and focus on how to beat you,” the five-time Grand Slam champion added.

Meanwhile, she will face home favorite Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the US Open. If Swiatek wins, she will reach her second US Open semifinal and will be just two wins away from her second title at Flushing Meadows.