'There is a little bit of a target on my back': Swiatek feels added pressure going into Indian Wells title defence

Iga Swiatek won the Indian Wells Masters last year and she feels a bit of pressure heading into this one because there is somewhat of a target on her back.

Many players are gunning for Swiatek as it's clear that she's only human an very beatable. The likes of Pegula showed earlier this year that you can beat Swiatek which didn't seem likely last year. For a time she seemed unbeatable and players were growing frustrated fairly early in their matches.

It's a bit different this year as she's lost a couple of matches already and she reflected upon that ahead of Indian Wells:

"I lost in the final and people were surprised – not happy with the performance – and just critical. It made me think that last year, before this huge streak and before winning all these tournaments, I would have been so happy with the result."

She added:

"Because of these comments right now, I felt like ooh, that’s not enough. I feel like there is a little bit of a target on my back, which I didn’t feel last year. So it’s a different situation and I have to adjust to that."

Her goal is to focus on her tennis and avoid everything else:

"I’m trying not to read those kinds of things because I’m happy with the work I’ve put in and how I played in Doha and Dubai. There is more pressure and expectation but I’m trying to deal with that the best way possible, and I think I’m doing good."