Iga Swiatek says she has learned a lesson after being knocked out in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday.
The world No.1 fell in three sets to Yulia Putintseva, who she had previously never lost to before on the Tour. Her defeat brings an end to her 21-match winning streak and it is the second time this year she last lost in the third round of a major event after the Australian Open. Despite having a resume that includes 22 WTA trophies, Swiatek is still yet to contest a Tour-level final on the grass.
As to what went wrong for the Pole in her latest match, she blames a lack of rest following her triumph at the French Open. Something she said made her feel like she was running on empty.
“My tank of pushing myself to the limits became suddenly empty,” she said.
“I was kind of surprised. But I know what I did wrong after Roland Garros. I didn’t rest properly and I’m not going to make this mistake again.
“After such a tough clay court season, I really must have my recovery. I thought that I was going to be able to kind of play at the same level. I feel like on grass I need a little bit more of that energy to keep being patient and accept some mistakes.”
Swiatek adds that she didn’t do well mentally at Wimbledon which she also blamed on the lack of rest. The 23-year-old has spoken numerous times about the importance of mental health in tennis and sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz has been part of her team for a few years.
“I literally came back to work – not tennis-wise, but off-court stuff – and I shouldn’t have done that. Maybe next year I’mgoing to take a vacation and literally just do nothing.” Swiatek said of what she did between the French Open and Wimbledon.
“We planned the year that way so I don’t have to do a lot before the Olympics.” She added.
Swiatek’s focus will now turn to the Paris Olympics that will be taking place at Roland Garros this summer.
