"And then she pulls an 11-0 finish out of the hat": Martina Navratilova staggered at how Iga Swiatek returned to form after US Open

Despite winning the 2023 French Open and finishing the year as World No.1, Iga Swiatek still has room to improve, according to tennis icon Martina Navratilova.

The Polish star is considered one of the most complete players in the game, and is almost unstoppable from the baseline. However, Navratilova believes the 22-year old could make sone adjustments to her net game, which would make her an even greater threat.

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Improving her transition volley is vital, says Navratilova

"It was amazing the way she came back after the US Open, where by her own admission she was tired," said Navratilova in an interview with the WTA. "And then she pulls an 11-0 finish out of the hat. I hope she takes a good vacation and gets herself ready for next year. The thing I’d target is getting to the net. I mean, she’s gotten better but there’s still a long way to go on the volley front, particularly that first volley -- the transition volley, which is probably the most difficult shot in the game.

"I think that’s where she can improve the most. Iga still has a tendency to run back to the baseline when she really should be going forward. And if she gets that going? Watch out. She can still get a few more mph on her serve, too.

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"The groundstrokes are solid as a rock. And the drop shot -- I think she had something like two drop shots all year. When she adds that and uses it at the right time -- because with her topspin she really pushes people back behind the baseline -- she’ll be even more deadly."

Iga Świątek

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