Iga Swiatek defends herself from fans’ high expectations after Barbora Krejcikova defeat - ‘I’m just human’

ByEurosport

Published 28/02/2023 at 11:24 GMT

Polish superstar Iga Swiatek has called on her fans to be more aware of her own mortality and not to place such high expectations on her moving forward. Swiatek’s fans have been upset with some of her struggles this season, but the top-ranked player in the world said that, whilst she will keep her standards high, she thinks that maybe others are expecting too much.

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World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has reminded fans that she is “just human” in the face of high expectations.

Swiatek has had an up and down start to 2023, getting knocked out of the Australian Open in the fourth round before winning in Qatar and getting to the final in Dubai, where she was beaten by Barbora Krejcikova.

However, many fans expect Swiatek, who went on a 37-match winning streak last year, to triumph in every match she plays.

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In a social media post, the Pole has asked for her fans to retain some perspective.

“Yesterday I was still in Dubai, today I’m in Warsaw, soon in Indian Wells," she began.

“These last few weeks were intense and challenging, but we did a lot of good work and progress.

“I enjoyed the tournaments in Doha and Dubai, and even though I lost the final in Dubai (huuuuge congrats Krejcikova), my level was good despite the infection and I gave it all I could in the moment.

“I can see that some of you have higher expectations of me, but, well… I’m just human. I will keep my standards high, I will enjoy my time on tour and keep working hard. At the end of the day, that is all I can control, my effort and engagement.”

Swiatek was asked in Dubai what she thought about people saying that the game was too easy for her.

“I don’t really hear that a lot because during the tournaments I’m kind of trying to stay off social media as much as possible. I’m posting my stuff. It’s not like I’m reading a lot,” she replied to the question.

“Honestly, I don’t mind that they’re saying if it looks easy or not. I know that it’s never easy. If somebody wins also with a great score, it’s not like…

“Tennis is such a complicated sport that you’re never going to know why or what happened. I feel like if you work hard and you give 100% on every match, your chances are going to come.

“So I’m pretty glad that I can play dominant tennis right now, but I’m really ready for every match and I’m really concentrated and motivated. I think if I wouldn’t be, I would just have a different score. It’s just work.”