Swiatek: "I need to keep my expectations low, focus only on the work"

The Polish player saved her debut in Australia and talked about the most important lesson she has learned since her positive doping test.

Fernando Murciego | 13 Jan 2025 | 09.39
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Iga Swiatek saves the debut of the Australian Open 2025. Source: Getty
Iga Swiatek saves the debut of the Australian Open 2025. Source: Getty

The 2025 Australian Open will feature an extra round with Iga Swiatek, the current World No.2 who hasn't won a title since Roland Garros. It seems challenging for her to end her drought here in Melbourne, but we are dealing with a woman who always must be taken into account. After defeating Katerina Siniakova in two sets this morning, the Polish player spoke with the press about her recent months, the changes in her preparation, and even gave approval to the growth of coaching on the courts.

Victory against Siniakova

“Surely it wasn't the easiest match to start, but I am happy, I don't know, I feel like I played better towards the end of the second set. That way, I could learn from what I did wrong at the beginning, in those moments where she broke me back. I think it was a solid match, and I'm pleased to have reached the second round.”

Closer coaching

“I think it's much more convenient because now we can use coaching, although we only need it. This rule about coaching is much better on small courts because if you play in a big stadium, it's impossible to hear your coach. That's why it makes even more sense for those chairs to be so close, finally, now it makes sense. I do like it; it's our choice if we want to use it or not. If you have good communication with your coach, then it can work.”

Life lesson after the doping

“Accepting the fact that sometimes you won't have control over some aspects of your life, that situation might happen, and you will have to deal with it, is already a great lesson. That will help me in other aspects of life, so I would say it has been my biggest learning.”

More prepared than ever for the AO?

“In general, the preparation has changed a bit because I have a different coach, that was already a significant change. Obviously, we are working a bit differently, but this always happens when you change coaches. In recent years, I made the mistake of not having a sparring partner, so this season I have one on my team, including in this tournament. I wouldn't say that my preparation in recent years was bad; it's another thing if I felt that my level was dropping during the tournament, but it's hard to know why. I need to keep my expectations low, focus only on the work and on playing better every day. Surely this is not the easiest surface for me, but I have to keep pushing and fighting for every ball.”

Flawless in debuts

“I think I only lost once in the first round, it was at Wimbledon 2019; I wish I hadn't played that tournament so that my statistics would be perfect (laughs). Of course, I am happy to survive another debut; it shows that I am consistent, that I am very secure in Grand Slams, even from the first match. Then it doesn't matter what will happen, but it's good to have that statistic.”

Few teenagers in the top 100

“The only difference I see between now and five years ago is that the players who are in the top are more consistent. Maybe, if you have us in the draw, there are fewer chances that we suddenly fall in the early rounds, although I'm not sure. It's hard to say; I would have to think about it more, but the transition from junior to professional is always tough. My transition was quite smooth, that's true, so I can't say much about my experience since others had a more challenging journey.”

Happy to play in the John Cain

“I've gotten used to the Poles coming to my matches, that's the most important thing, to see that the support is excellent and expanding every year. I didn't know that I hadn't played in the John Cain Arena for three years, but it doesn't matter; I love playing here, I have very pleasant memories of these kinds of courts. I don't mind; I like the court, the only thing is that the surface is a bit different from the rest of the courts, so I need to have that feeling and adjust everything a bit more.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek: “Necesito mantener mis expectativas bajas, concentrarme solo en el trabajo"