"I would love it" - Swiatek hopeful of playing Serena Williams in Cincinnati

Iga Swiatek never played against Serena Williams and with the American's imminent retirement, the chances to do so are few.

Williams and Swiatek could meet at this event but certain things need to happen. They both need to win their opening matches and with Williams facing Raducanu, that's far from a certainty. Iga grew up following Williams and her tennis exploits and she would love to simply see her on the other side of the net:

"I would love to just see how it is to see her on the other side of the net. I have a hard time catching eye contact with Serena. It’s tough because she always had so many people around her, and I'm pretty shy and when I look at her I kind of forget that I'm here as the world No.1. I feel like I'm the kid from kindergarten.”

Swiatek didn't have a great stay in Toronto and it's been the 2nd event where the Polish player loses a match many thought she would win. Winning over 30 matches earlier in the year certainly spoiled fans who are shocked when she loses. She is mostly looking at the whole process rather than just singular events or matches:

“I'm trying to look long-term at the whole process and maybe think [where I want to be] in the next season. It's more my team who is kind of like convincing me that I should think long term.”