"If I were No. 1 again, I would be much better prepared": Iga Swiatek reflects on her time at the top of WTA Ranking
WTA
Poland’s tennis star Iga Swiatek has revealed that she has learned
a lot with the experience of becoming the world number one at such a young age.
The 22-year-old became the top-ranked player in the WTA rankings
last year with her consistent performances on the court.
Her reign at the very top finally ended last month when she
was knocked out of the US Open after losing to Latvia’s Latvia’s Jelena
Ostapenko in the fourth round with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Read also
The defeat gave Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka an opportunity to
get at the very top and she grabbed it with both hands.
Swiatek was recently quoted in a report where she stated
that because of her experience, she would like to be more prepared if she gets
the top spot in the rankings back.
“There’s been a lot of pressure in recent seasons,” she
said. “I’d say the progress I've made has been pretty quick and I didn't expect
to be the world number one last year. I had to deal with a lot of things &
grow very quickly.
"The pressure is difficult at certain times. On the other
hand, it is part of our sport and we have to learn how to adapt and to focus on
tennis. If I were number one again, I would be much better prepared. I learn
from it.”
Swiatek has had a mixed year at the highest level where the
highlight was clearly the French Open where she won the title after beating Czech
Republic’s Karolína Muchova in the final with a score of 6–2, 5–7, 6–4.
The Warsaw-born has
already won four Grand Slam titles in her relatively young career. Three of
them came while playing at the Roland Garros whereas she also won the US Open
in 2022.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Was Saba not paying attention to those who sought an inordinate amount of attention outside of their sport (occupation)... and to the point they lost their focus and eventually their place in tennis? For example: Giorgi, Bouchard, Raducanu, etc. They became infatuated with endless Selfies, videos, podcasts, TV commercials, magazine shoots, and so on. Thus their tennis suffered. Priorities are important.
mandoist14-11-2026 - I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.mandoist12-11-2026
- Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
