"Honestly there is no point on focusing on defending anything": Iga Swiatek gives honest take on defending Qatar Open title and points

Monday, 12 February 2024 at 17:00

Iga Swiatek will defend her Qatar Open title over this next week and begins her defence against Sorana Cirstea shortly in Doha. But after having the World No.1 taken away from her and learning to deal with not having the pressure, the same can be said or the returning World No.1 in the Middle East.

Giving an honest take on her situation in Doha and whether it is points to defend as well as the titles, it is very much a new tournament for the Polish ace and it is very much a step by step for Swiatek as she navigates a new season.

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“Honestly, I learned from last year that there is no point on focusing on defending anything, so it's a totally different chapter and totally different story. So I'm going to take it step by step and not really think about what happened last year or two years ago, because, you know, we are all at different points in our lives," said Swiatek.

Our tennis is also different, so, I will take it step by step. I'm not really thinking about that. Obviously it would be nice if I could play well here, but I already learned that you can't expect a lot in tennis because it's going to surprise you. So really I'm trying to take everything step by step.”

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Swiatek says she learned from last year there’s no point in focusing on ‘defending’ titles or points “You come here as a defending champion. Always we describe it as ‘you have points to defend,’ and for your mindset, do you come to the tournament to defend the points or it's

7:27 PM · Feb 11, 2024

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