Iga Swiatek 'not getting expectations up' ahead of 'tricky' Madrid Open and potential Emma Raducanu match

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Published 25/04/2023 at 13:14 GMT

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek started her clay season in impressive fashion as she beat world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka to defend her title in Stuttgart. But how will Swiatek fare at the Madrid Open, where she has only played once before? Swiatek is expecting a "tricky" tournament but says she likes the conditions and is feeling settled in her position as world No. 1.

Iga Swiatek says she is “not getting expectations up” ahead of a “tricky” Madrid Open that could see her face British No. 1 Emma Raducanu in her first match.

World No. 1 Swiatek returned from a month out in impressive fashion as she defended her title in Stuttgart, beating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Swiatek didn’t play Madrid last year due to injury but leads the field this season.

WTA Madrid

'We made a mistake' - Madrid Open organisers apologise to women's doubles finalists

11/05/2023 at 09:08

It will be only the second time she has competed at the tournament, having lost in the third round to Ashleigh Barty on her debut in 2021.

“Madrid is tricky with the altitude, so I'll see,” she told WTA Insider.

“I've only played twice at altitude. I may be world No.1 but I don't have as much experience in tennis as you may expect. So I'm just going to see.

"My coach [Tomasz Witkorowski] is a guy with a lot of knowledge. So I'm sure he's going to help me manage that properly and get used to the conditions faster than I did in 2021.

“Madrid is tricky so I'm not getting my expectations up. I just want to see how fast I can get used to the conditions. I really like the tournament in terms of the conditions and food. I'm going to eat some pulpo [octopus] for sure.”

As she didn’t play the tournament last year, Swiatek has the chance to extend her lead at the top of the world rankings with a strong run in Madrid.

Swiatek has said that she is feeling more settled now as world No. 1 after a year in the position.

• Nadal closing on return says Uncle Toni
• Jabeur out of Madrid Open with injury

“Last year was really, really tough, and I felt like this season may be tough, because of what people are saying and expectations from the outside,” Swiatek said.

“I’m happy that I managed to work through it. That was probably the biggest thing that I had to go through at the beginning of the year.

“Now I feel like I just can use my experience a little bit more, more than worry about stuff.

“I’m just happy that I’m world No. 1 for more than a year, and it’s an exciting time.”

Swiatek’s first match in Madrid could be against 2021 US Open champion Raducanu, who opens against a qualifier.

Swiatek has won both previous meetings against Raducanu in straight sets, including at Indian Wells last month.

Iga Swiatek (R) and Emma Raducanu

Image credit: Getty Images

Raducanu comes into Madrid defending 120 points after reaching the third round last year. If she goes out early then the Briton faces the prospect of dropping out of the top 100 for the first time since her US Open victory.

If she is outside the top 100 after the Italian Open finishes on May 22 that could leave her needing a wild card to play at Wimbledon.

- - -

Stream the French Open on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

WTA Madrid

What does Sabalenka's 'revenge' win over Swiatek mean for French Open?

09/05/2023 at 15:36

WTA Madrid

Cake-gate and 'unacceptable' lack of speeches: Madrid Open controversy explained

08/05/2023 at 10:51

WTA Madrid

Sabalenka defeats Swiatek with huge performance in Madrid Open final

07/05/2023 at 16:18