"Now obviously there is a lot more expected": McEnroe believes Swiatek is finally feeling the pressure going into US Open
WTA
John
McEnroe commented on the immense pressure that surrounds Iga Swiatek as the US
Open is about to begin.
The
22-year-old Polish tennis player will start her journey in the US Open after
facing defeats in the last two weeks against American players Jessica Pegula
and Coco Gauff, both in semifinal matches.
"The
dominance is extremely hard to keep up obviously," said McEnroe about
Swiatek.
"You
saw three male players share everything. Rafa, Novak and Roger. This whole
situation was unusual from the beginning because Ash Barty retired and all of a
sudden Swiatek was anointed No. 1.”
Barty's
retirement from professional tennis came after a consecutive 114-week reign as
the leader of the rankings. Iga Swiatek's excellent start to the 2022 season
allowed her to take over the top position.
"She
did an incredible job for a while and then she proved she could win on hard
court surfaces. Now obviously there is a lot more expected and more pressure.
For the most part she's done a great job. The fact that she is No. 1 obviously
with other players it would be a huge win to beat her.
"People
in the America are hoping that players like Pegula, very consistent, and Gauff,
she's got incredible upside, that was the first time that she had even won a
set off her in eight or nine times.
McEnroe
commented on the court conditions at Flushing Meadows and how they could impact
Swiatek’s game.
"I
think the court from what I heard was playing pretty quick [in Cincinnati]. I'm
not exactly sure what it's going to be at the US Open.”
"If
it's slower the court would help her a little bit. If it's faster it would
probably help some of the other players a little more. That remains to be seen
but I think overall she's doing a great job," he added
Former world
No. 1 also commented on Sabalenka and the possibility of her taking the top
ranking from Swiatek:
"Sabalenka
came through and won her first major so she's more confident than ever,"
he said.
"But
it's still pretty unpredictable what is going to happen. Some of it is going to
depend on the draw and see what plays out. Both players will feel that pressure
to finish that tournament and year as No. 1 so this tournament could determine
the No.1 ranking which is exciting for the sport."
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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