Iga Swiatek wasn’t happy when her Australian Open draw was ‘spoiled’ (Image: Getty)
Iga Swiatek’s Australian Open got off to a bad start when her draw was “spoiled” during a pre-tournament press conference. The world No. 2 is bidding to lift the trophy in Melbourne for the first time, but she’s got a tough draw if she wants to go all the way. Swiatek could face two-time former champion Naomi Osaka in the fourth round, and 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
But the six-time Grand Slam champion had no idea who was in her section of the draw, and hit back when she was quizzed about her potential matches against Osaka and Rybakina ahead of the tournament.
Swiatek was asked whether she had adjusted her strategy for the first week of the tournament, knowing that Osaka and Rybakina could be on her path to the title. But the world No. 2 didn’t want to look at the draw and had no idea that either player could be waiting for her in week two.
“I’m not looking at the draw, so thanks for the heads-up,” Swiatek replied. “No, it’s not a joke. I’m literally not doing that. So please don’t spoil it for me. I want to be surprised after every match. No, because I didn’t know. That’s it.”
The Polish star knows what is at stake in Melbourne. Swiatek has four French Open titles to her name, also winning Wimbledon last year and the US Open in 2022, and can complete the calendar Grand Slam by getting her hands on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup – but she’s not too fussed about the career Slam talk.
“I think you guys are thinking more about it. I can hear that. No, I mean, honestly since the beginning of the year, there are many people coming to me and talking to me about it,” Swiatek explained.
“I’m really just focusing on, like, day-by-day work. This is how it’s always been for me. This is how I actually was able to achieve the success that I already have, just focusing really on grinding, match by match.
Iga Swiatek can complete the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
“Winning a Grand Slam is tough. Like a lot of things have to come together to do that. Yeah, it’s a tough tournament. So I have, like, no expectations. Obviously it would be a dream come true. This is not, like, my clear goal that I wake up with. I’m thinking more about how I want to play, what I want to improve, like, day by day.”
The world No. 2 had a mixed run at the recent United Cup. Poland finally won the title after losing two previous finals, but Swiatek lost her singles matches to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic in the semi-finals and finals.
Reflecting on her run at the team event, Swiatek said: “For sure losing singles is always not a good feeling. But on the other hand, I also had United Cups where I won all the singles, and we still lost. I was really just trying to appreciate the moment and have the opportunity to, like, be happy with the title, because at the end this is a team event.
“Also, what happened off the court, like having good atmosphere, like having good bond between the players is a big part of that. At least I just told myself that maybe I could contribute a little bit with that if I didn’t get the points playing tennis.
“So, yeah, I was really happy about it. I honestly had a lot of fun. Last time I had this fun after winning was after Wimbledon. So it’s been some time. I think it’s a great thing for Polish tennis. Hopefully it’s going to be remembered.”