Swiatek and How Returning to Her Past Will Yield Results in 2025

Mónica Barberán Munera | 12 Feb 2025 | 15.15

Iga Swiatek in Doha 2025. Photo: Getty

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Iga Swiatek is determined to defend the title once again at the WTA 1000 in Doha to secure her fourth consecutive crown. The Polish player will face Linda Noskova in the round of 16, the same opponent who eliminated her from the Australian Open last year. However, in 2025 Iga managed to avenge that defeat in the third round to reach the semifinals in her recent appearance. She also left behind a 2024 with many ups and downs: early exits in Grand Slams (except at Roland Garros), her suspension for doping, the parting with her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, or losing the number 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka.

In an interview with The Athletic, the Polish player confessed that in order to evolve, she had to take a step back with Wim Fissette, the coach who has been by her side since October of last year: "We are working in a slightly different way now, going back to my roots. I feel like I can really be a great defensive player, but also take my chances to be proactive, as I did a bit better in 2022. So with Wim, we are working a lot on my footwork, movement, and being able to rise again from defensive and difficult positions to win a point."

Indeed, these advancements were evident in 2025 during her run at the Australian Open, where she was defeated by the eventual champion, Madison Keys. "I felt really good in Australia. I felt control over the ball and a lot of confidence because I knew I had nothing to lose. I can only move forward and use what Wim has brought to the team. Obviously, with more practice there will be some changes in my game. In the last few years, I've learned to be an aggressive player. And the player who seizes the first opportunity in the rally to move forward... I always have to remember what my biggest weapon really is," said the Polish player about her playing style.

Her goal, to be a versatile player on all surfaces

Aside from major tournaments, Iga has shown good stats on hard courts. She makes it clear that her intention is to succeed on all surfaces, a task she does not see as far off. An example? Rafa Nadal. "It's just a matter of physics. On clay, it will be a bit easier because my topspin will be higher and my movements will be better than what other players can do with sliding and changing direction. But on hard courts, I feel that I am also a good player.

The same happened with Rafa. Everyone always talked about clay courts, but he is basically the best of all time on all surfaces. He also won Wimbledon twice. Not all players can achieve these results even on one surface. This is something people are focusing on. I also talk about it because clay is where I have the most fun, but I also love hard courts. I feel like I have my weapons and I can use them. I want to be a player who competes on all surfaces," said a player who is coming closer to the number 1 spot.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek y cómo volver a su pasado le dará resultados en 2025