"Sometimes you feel like you need to perform better": Swiatek admits pressure comes with endorsements and brand deals
WTAFriday, 18 August 2023 at 21:30
Iga Swiatek
acknowledged the pressure she has felt regarding sponsorship deals, although
she admits it was more pronounced when she was younger.
The World
No. 1 continues to advance in the Western & Southern Open, reaching her
fifth semifinal in WTA 1000 tournaments this year out of six participations.
She only missed out on the Rome Open, where she retired in the quarterfinals
against Elena Rybakina with a score of 6-2, 6-7(3), 2-2.
Swiatek
spoke at a press conference during the Cincinnati Open about the pressure she
has experienced throughout her career due to the contracts she has with
sponsors and the expectations they generate for her to achieve good results:
“People
often, they don't know that we actually have to work on that as well. I
remember, you know, signing my first sponsorship deals in, like, 2019 and 2020
and how much pressure it put on my shoulders,” 4-time Grand Slam champion.
“Even
people kind of close to me sometimes, my family, they thought that it's going
to, I don't know, give me wings and, like, I'm gonna be just proud and play my
best game you know. But sometimes you feel like you need to perform better
because they believe in you and you're representing them.”
“So I'm
just really happy that I have these companies behind my back and they are
believing in me. I would say it doesn't have a bad influence on me. It did
before when I was younger and I just didn't understand a lot of stuff, but I
really worked hard to change that and now it's just great,” Swiatek added.
This week,
Swiatek defeated Danielle Collins, Zheng Qinwen, and the recent Wimbledon
champion Marketa Vondrousova, whom she defeated on Friday, August 18th, with a
score of 7-6(3), 6-1.
In the semifinals, the 4-time Grand Slam
champion will face the winner of the match between Coco Gauff and qualifier
Jasmine Paolini.
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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