Iga Swiatek has admitted that she is finding new ways to enjoy tennis after setting up a fourth round showdown with Elena Rybakina.
The four-time champion is into the second week once again after defeating Jaqueline Cristian 6-2 7-5.
It was a tough second set for the defending champion but Swiatek regained her composure to secure a place in the last 16.
Speaking after the match Swiatek was pleased with her progress after what she described as an ‘entertaining’ match, “Yeah, well, for sure it was a nice match, and she really stepped up in the second set. I had to step up, as well,” Swiatek said in her press conference.
“It became an entertaining match. But I’m happy that I was, so I didn’t have to break finally in the last game because I was trying for the whole set. Didn’t really do that, even though I had chances. But at the end, yeah, I’m happy that I stayed solid.”
It was a complete performance from Swiatek who is seeking a fifth title in Paris and a fourth in a row.
In order to do that Swiatek has had to overcome poor form and confidence in recent weeks ahead of her Roland Garros title defence.
The Pole has revealed that she has mixed up her training sessions after being asked about player burnout after Alex De Minaur and Casper Ruud’s recent complaints, “Well, it’s not easy. I think if we would have less tournaments, it would be much more fun for us,” Swiatek said when discussing player burnout.
“But tennis is pretty, like, an exhausting sport because of the schedule that we have. So it’s not easy to keep it fun. But yeah, honestly, like, I love, you know, just working on stuff, and I love practicing. So for example practicing, it’s always fun for me. It’s less fun when obviously we feel pressure and, you know, expectations on the match court.
“Then, you know, you feel like you can’t really play your game. I think Carlos is a great example of how to make it fun. Sometimes force it a little bit. He also has a great game for that. Not everybody has such touch to play such amazing shots. But I also feel like, yeah, when I play good and the ball is listening to me and it’s going where I want, it’s super fun.
“This is what we work for, to have these kind of feelings. It’s good to remember that and to also, you know, remember how it felt when you were a kid and you were just playing.”
Swiatek will hope she can keep having fun on the court as she bids for more success at this year’s Roland Garros.
Next up for the Pole is 12th seed Elena Rybakina who thrashed Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-2 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Heading into their clash on Sunday, the head-to-head is tied at 4-4 although Swiatek has won their only meeting this season.
