Swiatek’s love of reading fuelling her as she continues China Open march
When she’s not crushing winners on the tennis court, you’ll find Iga Swiatek curled up reading a book
Zuma / Panoramic
Iga Swiatek has made light work of Varvara Gracheva in her second match at the China Open on Tuesday, dispatching the French world No 47 in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.
After her win, which books her a spot in the round of 16 at the Beijing tournament, the Pole explained to the media that when she’s not playing tennis, she loves to read as a means of going to “a different world” in her mind.
Swiatek explains the role reading plays in her life
Wind back the clock just a few years, and Iga Swiatek was tossing up whether to continue with tennis, or go to university. While she obviously chose tennis, something that has never been far from her is a love of reading.
Earlier this year, she introduced a “Read with Iga” challenge on social media, in an attempt to encourage her followers to read more.
“Well, I wanted to convince people to read a little bit more, just show them nice books that are kind of easy to read, or sometimes I took something from these books and I want to share that,” the Pole explained.
“I just felt like people are kind of forgetting to read because there are so many things right now we can do. Obviously a lot of kids are spending time on social media or YouTube all the time or just on the Internet. I just want to show them another perspective and a different way to spend time. I hope they like it.”
For Swiatek, who has the pressures of being a professional tennis player and having reached the pinnacle of the sport at such a young age, reading is one of the ways she keeps herself grounded.
“You can have fun and it can take you to different worlds. You can really use your imagination. If you choose nice books – that’s why what I kind of want to do, show nice books – it can really be fun.
“For me, it has always been important. Honestly, I feel like my life is more balanced when I read. It’s a great way for me to spend free time. I always like to kind of go to a different world with my mind. It’s like a journey for me, so I like it.”
In the real world, Swiatek will face compatriot Magda Linette next for a spot in the China Open quarter-finals, a match where she’ll need to be fully engaged to avoid a repeat of last week’s slip up in Tokyo.
