© Getty Pictures Sport – Clive Brunskill
Iga Swiatek says she nonetheless completely remembers turning into world No. 1 in “a reasonably loopy” method because the Pole is happy with every thing she has been capable of do since turning into the top-ranked participant within the recreation for the primary time.
On Sunday, Swiatek gained her Indian Wells title No. 2 after destroying Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-0. Precisely two years in the past, Swiatek’s first Indian Wells title got here and her last opponent again then was additionally Sakkari.
Only a day after Swiatek’s first Indian Wells win, Ashleigh Barty – who was the world No. 1 on the time – introduced she was retiring from professional tennis on the age of 25. Coming into 2022 Miami, Swiatek and Sakkari each had an opportunity to succeed in the world No. 1 spot and exchange Barty.
After Swiatek gained the 2022 Miami title and Sakkari misplaced, the Pole formally turned the world No. 1 for the primary time in her profession on April 2nd, 2022. Since then, the 22-year-old Pole has spent the vast majority of the time ranked there as this Monday she entered her ninety fifth week on the high spot.
“Oh, nicely, I keep in mind every thing, truthfully. It was fairly loopy,” Swiatek recalled when requested if she remembered how she precisely turned the world No. 1 precisely two years in the past.
“I am fairly happy with the best way I tailored to all these challenges that I needed to face. First turning into World No. 1, then really feeling snug with it and utilizing it on courtroom and being the goal of many gamers that wished to beat notably me, you understand, after which beginning subsequent season as World No. 1. So I am actually happy with how I dealt with every thing.
“It isn’t prefer it simply occurs after which it is executed. You will have many issues, you understand, that it’s important to face throughout one season. So, yeah, I am simply fairly proud.”
Swiatek on how she feels about her recreation whereas being the world No. 1
En path to profitable this 12 months’s Indian Wells title, Swiatek additionally confronted former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who retired as a consequence of an harm whereas down a set and a break to the Pole. Following her second Indian Wells title, a reporter instructed Swiatek that Wozniacki was somebody who used to continuously be requested whether or not she “felt actually No. 1.”
When Wozniacki turned the world No. 1 for the primary time in 2010 October, she did not have a Grand Slam win and that is why she was continuously receiving such questions. Later, Wozniacki managed to make her Grand Slam breakthrough and win her first and lone Grand Slam title on the 2018 Australian Open.
“I’d say you simply really feel like your recreation is healthier than anybody on the market. Clearly it is not with no consideration that you will win due to that, however you are feeling like you might have expertise and you’ve got every thing to have the ability to, you understand, current your finest recreation,” Swiatek defined.
“I imply, due to that, I do not count on, like, it should occur on a regular basis, however I simply know that it is someplace there and I have to make the very best work to place it on the market.”
Swiatek on coping with the strain of being the world No. 1
In her first stint on the world No. 1 spot, Swiatek impressively placed on a streak of 75 consecutive weeks. However after her 2023 US Open title protection ended within the round-of-16, the Pole’s streak got here to an finish as Aryna Sabalenka changed the 22-year-old on the high spot on September eleventh.
On the time, Swiatek’s confidence was shaken and it appeared like Sabalenka would end the season because the top-ranked participant on the planet. However after ending her season with back-to-back titles in Beijing and the WTA Finals, Swiatek returned to the world No. 1 spot and beat out Sabalenka for the Yr-Finish No. 1 spot. Since then, there have not been any adjustments on the world No. 1 place.
After dropping the highest spot to Sabalenka, Swiatek used that have to be taught concerning the errors she made and learn to deal higher with managing the strain and expectations of being the top-ranked participant on the planet.
“I imply, there are going to be ups and downs nonetheless, so I do not count on I am all the time going to really feel snug with strain. Generally it hits more durable; generally it does not hit in any respect,” Swiatek stated.
“I would not say that sooner or later I felt snug and that is it, now I will be snug until the remainder of my profession.”
Swiatek is now set to play in Miami, the place she additionally gained the title in 2022.