"The energy. I love listening to this kind of music before the match" - Iga Swiatek unleashes her inner 'rock and roll' before entering the court

Despite being a well-known 'Swiftie', the music that Iga Swiatek listens to before tennis matches are a completely different blend of sound. Opting for a rock and roll or heavy metal approach, the world number three will want to replicate that on the court as she looks to battle her way back up the order.

As the days draw closer towards that highly anticipated Wimbledon title defence, the Pole is in desperate need of living up to the hype on court. A huge tally of points are set to be swiped off if her inconsistent form continues on the big stage and if she is unable to produce the goods of last year on a surface typically loathed.

Her season in truth has been a bit underwhelming. Early exits have left Swiatek stunned on a number of occasions at WTA 1000 and Grand Slam level with her set to travel to SW19 with just one grass match under her belt: a three-set defeat to Emma Navarro in the Bad Homburg Open. Less than ideal preparation.

As Swiatek stands in the tunnel waiting for her name to be called before heading out onto Centre Court for the first time, it is a special yet nerve-wracking experience. She will be performing at a very high level in a packed stadium while millions and millions around the world tune in to follow the progress of the former world number one.

Experience comes into play here, and Swiatek has bounds of it at Grand Slam level. She will use this to find the perfect pre-match routine. A big part of that is music. While a hugely significant part of many people's lives, in sport it also has its uses.

Her choosing is rock bands. Music to pump her up and get her fired up ahead of walking out onto the court. “The energy. I love listening to this kind of music before the match; it's really the best way for me to get pumped up," she stated.

Swiatek is currently experiencing a slump in form. Her career Grand Slam ambitions were cut short at the Australian Open before for the first time ever, she lost a WTA 1000 match after winning the first set. This came in Dubai and would follow a particular trend moving Swiatek away from the almost immortal and inevitable tennis player that had once dominated.

A dreadful Sunshine swing saw her in a dark place and called for drastic action. Rafael Nadal's former coach Francisco Roig partnered up the six-time Grand Slam champion. “It was a positive reset because it reminded me a little bit more about the passion that I have for tennis,” she said. “Rafa is a walking example of passion.”

Roig fell back on his countless years of experience in the sport as he looks to advise and direct Swiatek back to the pinnacle of tennis, believing that this will not be an overnight fix. “I told Rafa, I’m really ready to reset, start a new process. He told me that it’s normal [to struggle]. That there are months where you don’t feel so good or don’t feel so confident and the only way to go is forward.”

However, so far to no avail. Aside from a semi-final in Rome, there are no signs that she is closing in on her best form once more.

Switching off from this torment can be hard. For Swiatek, she finds that through entertainment as well as music. She has previously said that music “has often been a refuge, helping me deal with emotions, and it’s absolutely essential to my energy on the court.”

Books and shows are also other forms of entertainment she regularly embarks in. “This is the best kind of entertainment for me,” she stated. “I feel so struck by their talent… Every time I go to a show, I'm blown away. And they do this with so much joy on their faces, you know?”

This 'rock and roll' Swiatek can only be found on the tennis court. She has no need to be that pumped and fired up in her regular life, mellowing down with some well-known pop talents.

“I have a lot going on in my head. It would be too much noise," she commented. “Day to day, I’m a Taylor Swift or Olivia Dean kind of girl." She has been to a Swift tournament in the past, shedding raw emotions as her passionate fan girl came through.

She also spoke on Dean's most recent album. “The best thing about the album she put out is that it’s so consistent. I know it’s just like 35 minutes but you can put it on the loop and it’s so good. There are no bad songs.”

This is how music can unearth feelings that not many things can. Whether switching off from tennis or about to play in a Grand Slam final, Swiatek has fitted each piece of the jigsaw puzzle to find the right combination.