Iga Swiatek on balancing perks and 'baggage' of being world No. 1 - 'Always wanted to inspire'
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Published 29/04/2024 at 21:53 GMT
Iga Swiatek has been the leading light on the WTA Tour for the last few years. After reaching the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open the world No. 1 spoke about the motivation that comes with being on top and also the challenges that she faces. She also looked ahead to her match with 11th Beatriz Haddad Maia in the next round of the WTA 1000 tournament.
Swiatek ‘really proud’ to make 100 weeks at world No. 1
Iga Swiatek says she “always wanted to inspire” but is still getting to grips with the expectations and “baggage” that comes with being the best in the world.
Swiatek, who booked her place in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open with a swift 6-1 6-0 win over Sara Sorribes Tormo, recently passed 100 weeks as world No. 1.
She won her first Grand Slam title at the 2020 French Open as a 19-year-old and over the last two years has become the biggest star on the WTA Tour.
While that brings plenty of satisfaction and motivation, Swiatek has revealed that it also comes with challenges.
“It all really happened suddenly after Roland Garros 2020, but back then, I felt like still people didn’t know if I’m going to be just a one-time athlete that succeeded or I’m going to keep playing well. I didn’t know that, as well,” she said in Madrid after her win over Sorribes Tormo.
“So for sure I think my consistency put me in that position. I would say it’s a nice role to have, because I always wanted to kind of inspire. Also, it’s easier to find motivation when you feel like kids are watching you.
“But on the other hand, for sure, it’s also some baggage on your shoulders. It’s not easy to balance it and to kind of save yourself of that, because everybody treats you like I should play for them, not for me.
“So, I’m kind of learning sometimes how to deal with that and how to not let that affect my mentality or my attitude.”
Swiatek has dropped just eight games across three matches as she has powered into the quarter-finals in Madrid.
She reeled off 12 games in a row against Sorribes Tormo and dropped only five points in the second set.
“I think all the mental stuff, I’m always kind of trying to stay present and do the same work no matter what stage of the match I’m in,” she added.
Swiatek next faces 11th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, who beat Maria Sakkari to reach the quarters.
Swiatek leads their head-to-head record 2-1, including in the semi-finals of last year’s French Open.
“The biggest thing I remember is it was really tight in the first set,” reflected Swiatek about that match.
“The tiebreaker was stressful. I remember the crowd also being crazy, because the Brazilian crowd is taking all these instruments with them and making a small music festival on the audience. So it was for sure different experience, a good one but tough to handle.
“I wouldn’t expect an easy match against Bia, for sure. She’s a great player.”
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