"I was more stressed than on other tournaments": Iga Swiatek admits natural game wasn't there in Noskova defeat, earliest World No.1 to fall in 45 years
WTASaturday, 20 January 2024 at 21:00
Iga Swiatek
admitted feeling more stressed than usual at the 2024 Australian Open after her
defeat to Linda Noskova. In the tournament's third round, Swiatek fell despite
winning the first set, with a final score of 6-3, 3-6, 4-6.
This marks
only the third time in her last 16 Grand Slam appearances that she failed to
reach the fourth round, delivering the world No. 1 her first disappointment of
the year after a streak of 17 consecutive victories. Swiatek acknowledged the
mental challenges she faced at the Aussie Open, saying, "For sure I was
more stressed than on other tournaments, especially first two rounds."
She also
expressed regret that, despite maintaining her usual high off-court intensity,
certain aspects didn't work as effectively as before in this tournament:
"I think some things just didn't work as they did before, even though I
was working the same way. I feel like I did really everything I could in
pre-season to improve some stuff that I wanted to," she added.
“Then I
came here and I wasn't playing kind of natural anymore. I don't know, like my
split step was too late sometimes. Reaction a little bit slower. Some other
things,” the 4-times Grand Slam champion added. “Basically, I was trying just
to improve that. That was the only thing I kind of focused on. That's why it
(my play) wasn't so natural as usually,” Iga Swiatek concluded.
Open Draw
In the
round of 16, the top half of the draw witnessed the exits of the main
favorites, Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, who was eliminated in the second round.
Other top-seeded players in this section, including Marketa Vondrousova (No. 7)
and Jessica Pegula, have also been eliminated from the competition.
The leading
contenders remaining in Swiatek's draw are now Qinwne Zheng (No. 12), Victoria
Azarenka (No. 18) and Elina Svitolina (No. 19). This presents a significant
opportunity for these players to advance deep into the tournament, and
potentially to the final, with no top-10 opponents in sight at least until the
championship match.
Can Swiatek lose the No. 1?
On the
other side, the two top-seeded players, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, remain,
and they could face each other in a potential semi-final. Even if either of
them becomes the champion, they do not pose a threat to Swiatek's world No. 1
position, as she maintains a good points advantage over the players trailing
behind her.
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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