Swiatek analyzes the reasons for her improvement: “Some habits that were not good had returned.”

A very simple first set and a second round that started backward. That’s the world of tennis, a different adventure every day. This is how this WTA 1000 in Cincinnati started for Iga Swiatek, who is already resting among the top 16 in the draw.

Yesterday, the Polish player had to suffer, as she is coming off a high after winning her first title in the last eleven months in Canada. A boost of confidence that she wants to carry into Ohio, even though Maria Sakkari had other plans. The Greek snatched the first set on Monday, but ultimately it was the Polish player who would emerge victorious. With calm restored, the Tennis Channel set welcomed the six-time Grand Slam champion to discuss what she experienced in those last few hours.

A comeback that gives her confidence

“I definitely felt better after the first set, although I have to say that Maria played very well in the first. I just wanted to pressure her a little more in the second. Having more time on the court gives you more rhythm, so I’m happy to have played such a tough match because, without a doubt, it gives me confidence.”

The key was intensity

“I think I served a bit better and played a bit deeper, but I didn’t feel like I was playing badly in the first set. I just felt that she was pressuring me a lot and playing very good angles, so I needed to do a bit more. Sometimes it’s just a few balls. Sometimes you lose a bit of intensity for a moment, you get broken, and there you go. After that, she managed to hold her serve very well. I was more intense in the second and third sets and wanted to maintain that until the end.”

Iga Swiatek confesses what her title in Canada means

“I played many close and tough matches there against players I had lost to this season. I’m happy with how I turned things around, with how I started playing better, and with not doubting myself. There were some strange habits that were resurfacing that maybe weren’t good. This time I used the confidence I had gained during practice and what Francis wanted to implement from the start with my game. I felt that I could do it from start to finish, and that gave me confidence. I didn’t have that feeling that I was going to lose my game.”

Swiatek makes a plea to society

“That’s what I needed to do, and that’s where the message came from. I just wanted to show people that we all deal with this. If someone can find some comfort in knowing that it’s not easy even for the best players, I’m happy to talk a little more about it. I wish the world were a little better and that we had more space to feel respected and appreciated, especially by the people back home, who should value the things you’ve achieved. I wish it were all a little kinder. I hope we can change something, even though I’m not naive, and I know how the world works. Sometimes headlines seek clicks and are more important, so you just have to focus on doing your job and not worry about that.”

Awaiting her next opponent

“Why not? I feel like it has been a very intense period for me leading up to this match, and now I can relax a bit. On one hand, I don’t know if I want to watch more tennis; on the other, it would be nice to see it. I’ll see how the day unfolds.”

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek analiza los motivos de su mejoría: “Habían vuelto algunos hábitos que no eran buenos”