“A different kind of energy”: Iga Swiatek explains why US Open mixed doubles with Casper Ruud was special
WTASunday, 02 August 2026 at 21:30
Iga Swiatek is returning to hard-court action at the Canadian Open with another opportunity to add a missing WTA 1000 title to her collection, but the world No. 8 is also preparing for another special challenge ahead of the US Open: reuniting with Casper Ruud for the 2026 mixed doubles event after their memorable run to last year’s final.
The Polish star and Ruud joined forces during the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles competition, where they reached the championship match despite having limited experience playing together. Swiatek admitted the experience brought a different type of energy after a demanding stretch of the season and helped her approach tennis from a new perspective.
“I think it's a nice change because it's a different kind of energy on the court and it can give you some freshness,” Swiatek said during her press conference. “Even though I was right after Cincinnati, I was kind of tired and had to play these matches, but it was so exciting that it was fully a pleasure.”
Swiatek and Ruud defeated several strong combinations during their run, including Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, and Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper before falling to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori in the final. Now, as Swiatek begins her Canadian Open campaign, the six-time Grand Slam champion will look to regain confidence on hard courts while chasing her first title of the 2026 season.
Swiatek believes mixed doubles brought a different perspective
The six-time Grand Slam champion explained that the experience was not necessarily part of her singles preparation for the US Open, but it helped her approach the game from a different perspective.
“I think it really helped me to have that freshness and to mix it up a little bit because we're playing the same kind of tournaments throughout the whole year,” Swiatek said. “This was much, much different and so much fun, especially playing with Casper.”
“I don't think it had anything to do with preparation for the singles tournament, but it was nice to play some more volleys, play a different kind of game, and think more about the geometry and tactics.”
Swiatek enters Toronto for her first hard-court tournament of the North American swing after a disappointing Wimbledon campaign, where she was unable to defend her title and fell in the third round against Alexandra Eala.
The Canadian Open represents another opportunity for the Polish star, who reached the semifinals in Toronto in 2023 — her best result at the event — and is still searching for the only WTA 1000 title missing from her collection.
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Swiatek recalls her previous connection with Alexandra Eala
Swiatek’s return to Toronto also comes after a recent defeat against Alexandra Eala, who ended the Polish star’s Wimbledon title defense with a third-round victory at the All England Club.
It was not the first time the Filipino rising star had challenged Swiatek, as the pair had previously met at the 2025 Miami Open, where Eala scored one of the biggest wins of her young career by defeating the then-world No. 2.
However, before their battles on the WTA Tour, Swiatek had already crossed paths with Eala in a very different setting. In 2023, the Polish star was invited by Rafael Nadal to deliver the graduation speech at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where Eala was among the students graduating shortly after Swiatek had won her fourth Roland Garros title.
Swiatek explained that she and Eala did not know each other closely at the time, although they had previously practiced together at the Miami Open when Eala was still outside the professional spotlight.
“We didn't know each other that much,” Swiatek said. “I remember I also practiced with her at Miami Open when she wasn't on tour yet, I think. So that was the first time we met. Then the second time was at Rafa's.”
Alexandra Eala after beating Iga Swiatek at Miami Open quarterfinals
The four-time Roland Garros champion admitted that most of her attention during the ceremony was focused on delivering the speech correctly, as public speaking was an unfamiliar experience compared to her usual media commitments.
“I was really focused on not ruining my speech. That was my main goal. I was a bit stressed, I have to say, because it's not like I give speeches a lot of times. Mostly I'm doing interviews, but a speech is a different kind of thing.”
Swiatek added that she enjoyed sharing the moment with Nadal and his family, while allowing Eala to fully experience an important milestone of her own. “I had a chance to talk to Rafa and to his family a little bit, which was great. But Alex was also just graduating, so she got her own experience.”
The former world No. 1 is preparing for her Canadian Open debut on Tuesday, August 4, when she will face the winner between Sara Bejlek and Xiyu Wang. The Polish star enters the tournament as the No. 7 seed and is looking to build confidence during a key part of the season while continuing her search for her first title of 2026.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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