"I'm somewhat different because I'm older": Iga Swiatek credits maturity for stunning comeback in 2025

World number two Iga Swiatek has revealed that she has noticed a change in herself on the tour this season. The 24-year-old had a rough start to 2025, failing to win any title in the first six months, which included a trophyless French Open. Her reign as the best player at Roland Garros ended after a three-year gap.

Since then, however, Swiatek has been phenomenal, having lifted three titles. Her first triumph after a gap of more than 12 months came at Wimbledon, where she lifted the title after beating America’s Amanda Anisimova in the final with a score of 6-0, 6-0. While doing so, Swiatek became the first women’s player to win a Wimbledon final without losing a single game in more than 100 years.

Later, Swiatek lifted the Cincinnati Open after beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-4. Recently, Swiatek lifted the Korea Open after beating Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia in the final with a score of 1-6, 7-6, 7-5. Swiatek is currently taking part in the Chinese Open, where she won her first match in the round of 64 against Yue Yuan in straight sets with a score of 6-0, 6-3.

While speaking to the media ahead of her second match, Swiatek stated that she herself has noticed a significant change in her personality. Swiatek noted that now, she no longer thinks about the fact that she has to win to reclaim the top spot in the WTA rankings, currently held by Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka, something she achieved in the early part of this season. Swiatek also stated that, in her opinion, change is largely due to her growing older and becoming mature enough to understand situations better than she used to in the past.

“I don't behave differently for being the world number two, and I don't think about it every day, especially on match days,” said Swiatek. “Maybe I'm somewhat different because I'm older and have more experience. At the beginning of the year, I did think too much about the top spot and I had to admit it on Instagram. But that was only for a few weeks, and I can't let it change the way I play; it wouldn't be healthy and it would affect me too much."

Swiatek then spoke about how she managed to take ‘small steps’ throughout the season to improve her game on the court. “The whole season is made up of the small steps I take every day,” said Swiatek. “I focus each time to get better, and this first match has been very good to explore the court and feel the conditions. There will be other opponents with different styles, and just because I played well today doesn't mean I'll play well the rest of the week. I have to be prepared for every challenge."

Swiatek was one of the most high-profile players to complain about the hectic schedule in 2024. Talking about that, Swiatek once again reiterated her point of view that the schedule remains ‘crazy’ and that players play ‘too much’. Swiatek said that she tries to 'divide' the year to ensure that she is ready for every challenge.

"I think we play too much, and the schedule is crazy,” said Swiatek. “I try to divide the year into each part of the season and focus on what's needed; otherwise, it's difficult. After a four-week preseason and eight days off, if I look at the end of December at what awaits me over the next eleven months, it's overwhelming. It's best to take it step by step because the schedule is demanding and challenging."

Swiatek also spoke about her return to Asia, in particular to China, and stated that she feels ‘great’ while returning to the continent. "My return to Asia has been great, and to China as well,” she said. “I love this stadium, it's beautiful, and I feel good on this court, very solid. However, this first match wasn't easy despite what the scoreboard reflects because I felt all the games in the second set were very close. The conditions are very similar to those of previous years, so that's something that makes me happy."