Iga Swiatek can include 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams among those who are cheering her on at this year’s US Open.
The world No.1 shed light on a conversation she had with Williams after winning her third round match on Saturday. Swiatek defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-2, to claim her 56th Tour-level win this season which is more than any other female player. It is the fourth year in a row she has made it through to the last 16 in Flushing Meadows.
Shortly before taking to the court to play Pavlyuchenkova, a video of Swiatek speaking with Williams surfaced on social media. Six-time champion Williams last played in New York in 2022 after announcing she was ‘evolving’ away from the sport.
“It was really nice to see her,” Swiatek said. “She has a lot of positive energy. It’s nice that she came on-site and she was chatting with the players.
“Even though we met before and for like a couple of years we have been on the same sides and on tour together, she’s still like star-striking (to) me.
“It was nice that she approached me, because I wouldn’t, for sure, find the courage to do that. She’s really nice and really positive.
“I’m happy that she’s following tennis and my game because she told me that she’s cheering for me. It’s always nice to hear that from somebody like Serena.”
Williams was a guest at the Grand Slam on Saturday and was seen watching Jannik Sinner’s straight sets win over Christopher O’Connell, as well as Jessica Pegula beating Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. It is the first time she has attended the tournament as a fan since retiring.
Swiatek, who is yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament, will be hoping to continue her winning run on Monday when she plays Liudmila Samsonova. She has been continuously ranked at the top of the WTA standings since November and has already held the position for more than 100 weeks. However, she is not underestimating the challenges she faces from others on the Tour.
“I think you need to kind of mix up your game because at the beginning, you might be there for a while (as No.1) but then everybody will analyze you and focus on how to win against you.” She said.
This year Swiatek is aiming to win her sixth major trophy in New York at the age of 23.
