Swiatek clashes with the calendar: "If we can't enjoy what we've achieved, it doesn't make sense to fight for it"

Iga Swiatek has regained her smile and optimism with her title in Toronto, arriving at this WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026 with renewed energy and sky-high motivation. She knows that if she continues the form she showed in Canada, she will have a chance to compete for the title here and, more importantly, at the US Open 2026.

In a press conference not without tension due to the protests regarding how tight the WTA calendar is, the Polish player pointed out the keys that explain her high level in Toronto, noting that that tournament could have been a turning point in the process of rebuilding the confidence that Iga Swiatek  had been trying to boost for so long, eager to win a Grand Slam and avoid a winless year in tournaments of this caliber, something quite illogical for a legend of her caliber.

How Iga Swiatek spoke on Media Day at WTA Cincinnati 2026

Mentality shift explained by Swiatek

Swiatek explained that the training time prior to Toronto was crucial to regain freshness and implement changes in her game. The Pole believes that this working period allowed her to compete in a more solid and patient manner.

"It was great. It was everything I needed. I had time to reset after Wimbledon and returned to the court much fresher and much more open to trying new things. We had about two weeks, and then I arrived in Toronto. The work we did there was key to playing better in that tournament."

"I was able to find a way to be more patient and more solid. So it paid off. I felt that my game was better, especially in practice, than in some matches. Old habits were coming back in some tournaments, so I knew I needed time and a calm period to work. Everything was quite clean in Toronto, and I was looking forward to getting to this tournament."

Swiatek's rant against the calendar

"The calendar is intense. I've been talking about it for years, and I don't want to repeat myself. Of course, there’s no time to celebrate. You don't have time after Grand Slams. It’s intense, but it’s fine. I will find my moment to appreciate what has happened. Because without that, it doesn’t make sense to do it again and seek those moments."

"I have my team around me. They know what’s best for me and also watch over me. They know when it’s time to focus more on recovery or training. We’ll take it day by day. Recovery is more important. I’ll probably train a maximum of 90 minutes tomorrow, and I need to use every minute of that training to feel the sensations on these courts."

Escaping expectations, a goal for Swiatek

"I think the goal is to focus on growing because it’s simply the world we live in, and it shouldn’t be this way. My goal was for that not to interrupt my process or define who I am, to be confident in my decisions, and not let anything disrupt my focus on continuing to grow. Right now, I just want to be present and take advantage of every opportunity and every moment."

The words of Iga Swiatek before entering the fray in the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026 demonstrate a change in mindset in how she approaches tournaments, having gained confidence in Toronto and being aware that she is at a decisive moment in her career. 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek raja contra el calendario: "Si no podemos disfrutar de lo logrado, no tiene sentido luchar por conseguirlo"