“I’m a day-session kind of girl”: Iga Swiatek explains her preference for early starts
WTAThursday, 20 August 2026 at 08:30
Iga Swiatek has found time for both an early-morning routine and a movie night during her latest run in Cincinnati, where the Pole has quietly rebuilt momentum on hard courts. Her preference is clear when it comes to scheduling, with Swiatek explaining why she remains firmly in favour of day sessions, while her latest off-court activity led to an unexpectedly candid verdict on one of 2026's biggest films.
The lighter moments have come during an important stretch of the season for the former world No. 1. Swiatek has now won nine consecutive matches since returning to hard courts, following her Canadian Open triumph with another run into the quarterfinals in Cincinnati.
That resurgence has changed the picture around Swiatek after a difficult period earlier in the season. Her title in Toronto moved her back into the top five, while her continued progress in Cincinnati has given her another opportunity to strengthen her ranking position as she attempts to defend the title she won at the tournament last year.
The challenge now becomes considerably bigger. Swiatek will face Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, just one week after beating the Kazakh in the Canadian Open final to move ahead 7-6 in their head-to-head record. While Rybakina is chasing the No. 1 ranking, Swiatek is looking to extend a winning run that has given her season a very different direction.
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“I’m a day-session kind of girl”
Swiatek's preference for early starts is closely linked to the routine she has built around match days. With two consecutive 11 a.m. matches in Cincinnati, she explained that playing first allows her to follow a predictable schedule rather than spending most of the day waiting for her match.
“I like playing first match because I have a set time," the world No. 5 said. "Like, I know when to warm up. I know my routine exactly. You just wake up and you get it over with. You play and then you can rest the whole day.”
Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates her 6-2, 6-3 win over Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina to clinch the National Bank Open final
Her recent schedule has also forced her to become more comfortable with the opposite routine. Swiatek played several night sessions in Toronto, meaning the early starts in Cincinnati represented another adjustment.
“But I feel like I'm ready for both because of that right now. So no matter what the slot is going to be for the next match, I feel ready for a night session because I already got that rhythm, and day session as well,” she said. “But overall, I would say I'm a day-session kind of girl. To get up early, have that routine in the morning and get it done.”
Swiatek also offered a physical explanation for that preference, although she acknowledged why late matches remain an important part of the sport's entertainment product.
“I also feel like it's healthier because our bodies are not used to playing at 9 p.m. or something, you know. But I can adjust to anything. I've played in my life, like any kind of session. And I also understand why we play so late. It's entertainment.”
“I don’t think my review was professional”
Her Cincinnati schedule has not been entirely about tennis, however. Swiatek also found time to watch The Odyssey, giving Tennis Channel an unusually informal glimpse into what the four-time Roland Garros champion does away from competition.
Asked for her assessment of the film, Swiatek admitted that her knowledge of the wider 2026 movie landscape was somewhat limited, but she had no hesitation about the performance that caught her attention.
“I think Anne Hathaway is going for the Oscars. And yeah, I mean, honestly, it's not like I know her competition because that's the only movie I watched from this year,” she said. “But I loved how she played. And overall, the movie was amazing and so many good actors. And I don't know a lot about movies.”
Swiatek's self-awareness quickly became part of the joke when the interview moved toward her unofficial role as a film critic. “I don't think my review was professional, but whatever,” she said, before adding a straightforward recommendation: “Yeah, but totally it's worth seeing it.”
The relaxed exchange comes amid a much more serious tennis storyline. Swiatek defeated Diane Parry in the round of 16, conceding two breaks but producing five of her own while winning 73% of first-serve points and 62% behind her second serve.
That result extended her winning streak to nine matches and set up the rematch with Rybakina. The Canadian Open final remains the most recent meeting, but the stakes are different this time: Rybakina is closing in on the world No. 1 ranking, while Swiatek is trying to protect the points from her Cincinnati title.
"I've been doing a lot of work and trying to change stuff. And sometimes it wasn't really clicking. And now it is much better," the 6-time Grand Slam champion admited. "I would say I continued the work I've been doing before, but it was a little bit easier to do it and more positive. And this attitude and this work that I've put in, I feel like it's paying off right now."
A win over Rybakina would send Swiatek into the semifinals and further strengthen a hard-court resurgence that has quickly changed the trajectory of her season. For now, the early starts and movie reviews provide a lighter side to her Cincinnati campaign, but the quarterfinal against Rybakina will offer another important test of where Swiatek stands.
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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