Google News Iga Swiatek: In 2021 I understood how it is to play as Grand Slam champion
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 3956
World No. 4 Iga Swiatek learned during the 2021 season how it feels to play as a Grand Slam champion and she hopes she will perform even better in 2022. Swiatek, 20, captured her maiden Grand Slam title at last year's French Open.
Swiatek failed to defend her French Open this year, haivng lost to Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinal. "During this season I understood how it is to play as Grand Slam champion, once you focus on your tennis is better. I have been quite consistent and I'm happy, next season I look forward to increase my tennis again," Swiatek said, per Lorenzo Ercoli.
Swiatek looking forward to playing the Indian Wells Masters
"The weather are hard here in Indian Wells. In Tokyo and Miami we played in hard conditions, but after being in Europe where is almost winter, I know here will be tough: is one of the challenges.
But I like the surface so I don't feel I need many adjustments," Switatek noted. Swiatek has a real chance to make the season-ending event since she is seventh on the Race to the WTA Finals list. "I'm pretty happy to have still energies and motivation.
This is my first full season on tour and with Olympics we never had a break. I never thought about playing Finals, but I hope too qualify because it will be great," Swiatek said. Swiatek last played in Ostrava, where she lost to Sakkari in the quarterfinal.
"I think we both played better today," Sakkari told the press, comparing this match to their Roland Garros clash. "It was a very high-level match, and I’m very happy that I could bring that level today. It’s a very important thing for me, and Iga is a very tough opponent because she’s very solid and she fights a lot. She’s one of the best players now, and I’m very happy with the way I played."
