Swiatek ready for challenge in Rome: “I’m not expecting myself to be fresh”

The world No 1 says she’s using rest days in Rome to rest, as much as to practice

Zuma / Panoramic

May 7, 2024

Iga Swiatek says she’s ready for a big challenge as she tries to back up her brilliant title win in Madrid by performing well in the Italian Open, which began iin Rome on Tuesday.

The Pole consolidated her position as world No 1 by edging out Aryna Sabalenka in the final in Madrid but admits the quick turnaround makes juggling matches, practice and rest even more difficult.

“I’m not expecting myself to be fresh,” she told reporters in Rome. “Truly, like when I came to Madrid, I was more tired at the beginning of the tournament after Stuttgart than I was actually before the final. It really depends how the matches are going to look like.

“I know that if I’m going to stay longer in a tournament, I might have also some days off where I don’t even practice. We’re trying to plan it differently than last seasons because we are worried. These tournaments are longer and it’s not possible to have days off before, so sometimes you have to have them during.”

CIAO IGAAA 🗣️

👋 Rome embraces the World No. 1 for her first practice session! #IBI24 | @WTA | @iga_swiatek pic.twitter.com/erXkleyUrR
— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 7, 2024

Uncharted waters for Swiatek

Even as a now well-established No 1 and the winner of four Grand Slam titles, Swiatek is discovering new challenges on Tour, including backing up big wins by playing the following week.

It means that celebrating the big win can be brief but it seems she’s also enjoying trying to figure out how to navigate through uncharted waters.

“We are still trying to figure out because we never actually did it,” she said. “I always practised in between matches. I mean, my coaches are planning it. No point for me to focus on that because I want to win first matches, and we’ll see what’s going to happen afterwards. If I lose, then I’m going to have a hundred days off.

“It’s pretty crazy being in Madrid, packing straightaway after the final and coming here. I’m happy to be here because I love this place. I have already practiced today in the morning. It’s fun. For sure it’s a challenge to adapt. But it’s nice to have problems like that.”

Swiatek: “We don’t have time to rest properly”

Swiatek has spoken recently about trying to play with less pressure and that includes treating practice in a less intense way at these back to back events.

“I would say I’m giving myself time to play tennis more relaxed way, not think about playing matches or points because really we don’t have time to rest properly,” she said.

“You also have to use these days and I treat them a little bit like days off. I only try to focus to get used to the bounce…honestly. I try to use this time as a reset as well. But I’m not forcing it.”