Iga Swiatek has insisted she is feeling ‘great’ after recently dealing with a foot issue whilst playing at the US Open.
During the last Grand Slam of this season, Swiatek told reporters that she was proud of her performance after ‘playing matches without training days off, dealing with foot problems and overcoming many difficulties.’ The world No.2 was beaten in the quarter-finals by Amanda Anisimova, which brought an end to her nine-match winning streak (excluding walkovers). After winning her main Wimbledon title in July, she also won the Cincinnati Open.
Swiatek’s focus now switches to the Asian Swing, where she will begin her campaign at the Korean Open. She is the only top 10 player in this year’s tournament and is bidding to win her second WTA trophy in the continent after the 2023 China Open.
“I haven’t been practicing a lot because I needed time to recover and to do everything to just be ready to play matches,” Swiatek told local media when asked about her current fitness.
“So physically, I feel great. I feel like I need to practice some more, but I don’t have any pain or anything. It’s all good.”
The six-time Grand Slam champion didn’t play any events in Asia last year due to a failed drug test caused by contaminated medication she was taking for jet lag and sleep issues. Swiatek tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) and accepted a one-month ban. An independent hearing concluded that the tennis star bore “no significant fault or negligence” and did not intentionally take trimetazidine. Furthermore, her level of fault was deemed to be at the ‘lowest end of the range.’ Poland’s National Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) both accepted the decision.
“I’m happy that I’m past it, and I’m happy that I could resolve it quickly,” Swiatek commented on her case. “Missing the whole Asian swing wasn’t the easiest because I thought that I could fight for being No. 1 at the end of the year. But missing such important tournaments after (the suspension), it was not really possible. I’m happy that I’m just going to learn from this experience. I’m happy to be here, for sure.”
As for her chances in Korea, the 24-year-old isn’t underestimating the challenges from her rivals. She could play eiher Barbora Krejčíková or Emma Raducanu in the quarter-finals, followed by a potential clash with Clara Tauson or Sofia Kenin. Second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova headlines the other section of the draw.
“I don’t think it makes sense to even think about the final already, and any girl can win this tournament,” she said.
“Great players come here. So I’m just going to really take it step by step. Just think about my first match. I only came here yesterday, so I really need to use my time to just focus on here and now, and the practices and the first match. We’ll see how I’m going to feel, how I’m going to play, and there are many players who can play in the final. So we’ll see.”
Swiatek has a bye in the first round.
