Iga Swiatek discloses non-public Roger Federer chat behind US Open title defence
Roger Federer might now not be an energetic tennis participant, however one of many all time greats continues to be inspiring these nonetheless within the sport. The former World No 1 spoke to reigning US Open champion Iga Swiatek earlier than the beginning of the competitors and gave some recommendation.
Swiatek is the most effective ladies’s participant on the earth in the mean time, and the 22-year-old has already received 4 Grand Slams. The Polish participant received the French Open for the third time this yr, and recorded her finest end at Wimbledon in July earlier than making ready for the ultimate Grand Slam of 2023.
Swiatek defended her French Open title, and is seeking to do the identical in New York and win the US Open once more. Although she stands out as the most harmful participant within the ladies’s sport, there’s a stress that comes with being on the prime.
Federer is aware of precisely what that is like, and spoke to Swiatek about how he approached it throughout his profession. She disclosed that message instantly after her newest huge win within the US Open third spherical.
“Honestly, I have to learn how to find more joy in that. I talked to Roger about that last week,” Swiatek mentioned.
“The best way to approach it is really embrace it & be proud of your results… For me, I’m always looking to the future and trying to do the best job, play the best way. I’m glad I have people in my team to remind me of the good work that I’m doing and appreciate the progress. I wouldn’t say I’m used to it, but I’m learning how to navigate it.”
Swiatek superior to the Round of 16 on the 2023 US Open with a dominant win in opposition to Kaja Juvan. Swiatek is but to drop a set within the competitors and misplaced just one sport throughout her newest match.
Federer received 5 US Open titles in a row between 2004-2008, and spent a complete of 310 weeks as World No 1 throughout his profession. Federer performed his final US Open in 2019 however finally retired in 2022.
Swiatek has been on the prime of the WTA Tour singles rankings for the previous 73 weeks, and solely Steffi Graf (186 weeks) and Martina Hingis (80 weeks) spent longer on the prime persistently. The 22-year-old has managed to determine early dominance regardless of her age, however even the most effective can choose up some ideas.
Enjoying the sport is necessary, and even Coco Gauff has mentioned this week that seeing Carlos Alcaraz smile whether or not he wins or loses has impressed her. Alcaraz is seeking to defend his US Open title, similar to Swiatek.