Iga Swiatek Tunes Out Criticism Ahead Of Indian Wells Title Defence - UBITENNIS

Iga Swiatek Tunes Out Criticism Ahead Of Indian Wells Title Defence

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read
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Iga Swiatek says her priority is to focus on herself and not think about what others are saying as she bids to become the first woman in over 30 years to defend her title at the BNP Paribas Open.

The world No.1 has enjoyed a solid start to the season by winning 12 out of 15 matches played on the Tour. Last month she won the Doha Open before reaching the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships where she was denied the title by former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova. Her two other losses so far in 2023 were against Elena Rybakina in the fourth round of the Australian Open and Jessica Pegula at the United Cup. 

Despite her run of wins, there are high expectations for Swiatek who won 37 matches in a row last year and claimed eight titles, including two Grand Slams. Although the Pole is eager to distance herself from those heroics. Speaking to reporters in Indian Wells on Wednesday, Swiatek explains that she does not “really think about what happened last year and remember that’s a different story.”

“After Doha and Dubai, I felt it pretty strongly,” wtatennis.com quoted Swiatek as saying. “Because I won a WTA 500 and was in the final of a 1000 — it was like a small streak of matches that were pretty solid and I was really composed. But, still, I lost in the final and people were, I don’t know, surprised, not happy with the performance, just critical.
“And it made me think that last year before this huge streak and before winning all these tournaments I would be so happy with this result. But with all these comments right now, I felt like, ‘Ooooh, that’s not enough.’”

Compared to 12 months ago, the 21-year-old feels she has a ‘target on her back’ in Indian Wells due to her recent successes on the Tour. However, this is something that doesn’t phrase Swiatek who is learning quickly to adapt to such situations at such a young age. In the WTA top 20, the only player younger than her is 18-year-old Coco Gauff. 

“I feel like there’s a target on my back a little bit, which I didn’t feel last year,” Swiatek said. “It’s a different situation, and I have to adjust to that. So I’m trying not to read a lot of these things. I don’t want it to influence me because I’m happy with all the work I’ve done.
“This is the example of how people’s attitudes changed a little bit — and I don’t think it’s a positive change — but for me for sure there is more pressure and expectations because of that. But I’m trying to [cope with] that in the best way possible. Yeah, I think I’m doing good.”

In Swiatek’s section of the draw, she will play either Anna Karolina Schmiedlove or Claire Lui in her opening match. Then she could possibly play former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the third round followed by either compatriot Magda Linette or Beatriz Haddad Maia. 

“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,” Swiatek concluded.

Only one woman has managed to win the Indian Wells title in consecutive years. That was Martina Navratilova who claimed the title in 1990 and 1991. 

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