Iga Swiatek admits she doesn’t follow many athletes but one of those she does has given her ‘tips’ during this year’s Madrid Open.
The world No.1 continued her quest for a maiden title in the Spanish capital on Saturday with a one-sided 6-1, 6-1, win over Sorana Cirstea in the third round. Claiming her 26th win of the season so far against only four losses. Swiatek won 66% of her first service points and broke the Romanian six times.
During her time in Madrid, Swiatek was seen speaking to skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, who is a multiple Olympic and World Championship medalist in her sport. The American was also in the stands watching the tennis player in action during her opening match against Wang Xiyu.
‘I look up to her,” Swiatek said of Vonn after beating Cirstea. “I didn’t have a lot of athletes that I followed but she was one of them when she skied. I also read her biography and I found huge inspiration from that.
“We met a couple of times already and we always talk for a longer time than I usually do.
“I feel like for sure she’s a person to talk to if I need advice or I just want to talk to somebody who is cool because she’s really cool.”
As to what the two speak about, Swiatek revealed that she has received some advice regarding her ‘mental game.’ Although she did not shed any light on what that was.
“We have been kind of talking about the mental game here (in Madrid). She gave me some tips,” Swiatek continued.
“You can feel like her power even with the way she talks and her confidence. So for sure this is something that I might learn from her.”
The 22-year-old hopes that the advice could help her triumph in Madrid which is the only big European clay court event she is yet to win in her career. Although she did reach the final 12 months ago before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. It has been more than a decade since the Women’s title was won by the top seed in Madrid.
Swiatek will play Sara Sorribes Tormo in the next round.
