Iga Swiatek has opened up on her struggles to deal with pressure ahead of the Australian Open. Swiatek headed into the opening Grand Slam of the campaign in Melbourne after a hugely succesful season in 2022.
Despite being just 21-years-old, the Polish star has lit up women's tennis and emerged as the sport's dominant force. As well as sitting at No. 1 in the world, Swiatek won both the US Open and French Open in 2022, as well as the Tour Finals.
With talent of course comes pressure, and for the Pole this sort of attention at the very top of the game can often be very tricky to deal with.
Opening up on how 2023 will be a whole new challenge for her, she said: "This time it feels different because during the pre-season and my time at home, not being focused on playing matches, I had a lot of time to kind of think and analyse. I kind of realised what happened.
“Last year I was just focused on my next steps and my next matches. For sure I feel the expectations, that people kind of want to take for granted that I'm going to win those first rounds. It's always not easy. Every match is a different story.
“You have to really work hard to win. I just feel like they're taking it for granted a little bit. There's no reason to do that honestly because I know I had streak last year, and I was consistent… every match is a different story, every season is different."
Having now built up a reputation as the world's best player, the 21-year-old revealed the expectation she feels to succeed has been ramped up. She went on: "I feel expectations a little bit more this time, but I know I can kind of work on that. I just wish that some people would understand little bit more how it is to compete every week of your life basically.
"You just have to deal with that. Maybe it will be a little bit easier if there were less people that are kind of judging.” Despite her concerns, she kicked off her Australian Open with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Jule Niemeier.
Swiatek will now take on Colombian star Camila Osorio in round two. Ahead of her clash on Wednesday, she commented: "Jule is not an easy opponent, so I’m happy I’m through and going to be able to play more matches here. “My goal for the next matches is not being in those situations and not starting the set with losing a break. But it happens.”
