Swiatek losing World No.1 spot 'best thing that can happen for her tennis' according to Wilander

Seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander believes that losing the number one spot in the WTA rankings is the best thing that could’ve happened to Poland’s Iga Swiatek.

The 22-year-old lost her top spot in the WTA rankings after a disappointing outing in the US Open 2023 where she was defending her title.

Swiatek lost to Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16 with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 which means that Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka will be the top-ranked player in the WTA rankings updated after the US Open.

Wilander, who was also the world number one in the men’s category in 1988, believes that losing the top spot is the best thing for Swiatek who will now have time to work on her game instead of worrying about how she can extend the reign at the top.

"I think this is most probably the best thing that can happen for her tennis," said Wilander while talking to Eurosport. "There’s a reason for her to start working on her game again and figuring out what happens to her when she plays against big hitters now she doesn’t have to [worry about being world No. 1].

“But she’s right in the statement about defending. We turn into a bit of a negative, we talk about defending, defending points, so I think it’s time for her to step aside and work on her game a bit."

Former America’s tennis star John McEnroe also agreed with Wilander and stated that when you are number one, there is more focus on your performance than any other player.

"She [Swiatek] has done a fantastic job for the most part,” he said. “Of course there is more pressure and expectations. The No. 1 player is looked at more carefully, you have to accept and expect that. She won the US Open last year, she’s won three French Opens, she’s carried herself proudly, she has done a fantastic job all in all. But you are the hunted, people are coming after you."