In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, where pressure and expectations can weigh heavily, Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis superstar, has found a beacon of inspiration in Carlos Alcaraz. The 24-year-old, who recently clinched her sixth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon on July 27, 2025, with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova, revealed in a candid interview that Alcaraz’s approach to the game is something she deeply admires and seeks to emulate. Despite her own remarkable achievements, including four French Open titles, a US Open, and now Wimbledon, Swiatek admitted that Alcaraz’s ability to find joy on the court is a quality she wishes to incorporate into her own game.
Swiatek, who has held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 125 weeks, spoke glowingly about the 22-year-old Spaniard, who, despite losing the Wimbledon men’s final to Jannik Sinner, remains a dominant force with five Grand Slam titles. “I wish I was more like Carlos because I have got to say he is a big inspiration in terms of that,” Swiatek shared, highlighting Alcaraz’s infectious enthusiasm. “He always says that the most important thing for him on a tennis court is to enjoy it and have fun and I sometimes forget about that.” Her words reflect a vulnerability rarely seen in a player known for her relentless focus and aggressive, all-court style, which has drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal.
The pressure of professional tennis can be overwhelming, with off-court demands and the constant pursuit of perfection often overshadowing the sport’s inherent joy. Swiatek acknowledged this struggle, noting, “Sometimes with all the pressure around and things we need to do off the court, you need to remind yourself about this kid that started playing tennis instead of winning for somebody and having this baggage on your shoulders.” Alcaraz’s ability to maintain a bright smile and a playful demeanor, even in high-stakes matches, serves as a powerful reminder for Swiatek to reconnect with the passion that first drew her to the sport. “For sure, when Carlos shows that and when he speaks about that, it is always a good reminder for me, and I try to do that as well, but without me working on it, I think my mind would automatically go to just working, working, working,” she added.
Swiatek’s admiration for Alcaraz extends beyond his mindset. She has also expressed a desire to emulate his technical prowess, particularly his masterful use of the drop shot, a skill he honed from a young age. During the 2025 Stuttgart Open, where Swiatek stormed into the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jana Fett, she discussed her efforts to incorporate the drop shot into her game. “If I haven’t been doing that since I’m a kid, like Carlos, for example, then it’s a bit harder to force it, you know, later on,” she said, acknowledging the challenge of mastering a shot that comes so naturally to Alcaraz. His ability to disguise the drop shot and disrupt opponents’ rhythm on clay, where the ball grips and dies quickly, has made it a devastating weapon, one Swiatek hopes to refine to enhance her already formidable arsenal.
The parallels between Swiatek and Alcaraz are striking. Both are young, dominant players chasing the Career Grand Slam, with the Australian Open as the final piece of their respective puzzles. Swiatek’s 6-0 record in major finals ties her with Monica Seles for the best women’s start, while Alcaraz’s 5-1 record includes titles on all three surfaces—hard, clay, and grass—making him the youngest to achieve this feat. Their mutual respect is evident, with Alcaraz previously praising Swiatek’s 2022 season, when she won eight titles, including the French Open and US Open, and maintained a 37-match unbeaten streak. “I see her year has been incredible, she broke a record I think for the longest winning streak (this century). It’s amazing,” Alcaraz said in 2022, expressing his desire to emulate her consistency at the top.
Off the court, their camaraderie adds a lighthearted dimension to their rivalry. At the 2025 BNP Paribas Open Champions’ Luncheon, Swiatek and Alcaraz shared laughs while introducing signature dishes—pierogies for Swiatek and a serrano ham bocadillo for Alcaraz. When Alcaraz admitted he’d never tried pierogies, Swiatek playfully explained the importance of the dough, showcasing their easy rapport. Their shared commitment to philanthropy, seen in their participation in the “Tennis Plays for Peace” exhibition on August 24, 2025, alongside stars like Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff, further underscores their alignment as ambassadors for the sport.
As Swiatek prepares for the North American hard-court swing, her focus on emulating Alcaraz’s joy and versatility signals a new chapter in her career. With a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she drew on Alcaraz’s positive attitude to overcome pressure, Swiatek is poised to continue her ascent. “I see Carlos enjoying himself and smiling on the court and that helps me a lot,” she said, crediting his influence for her Olympic success. As both players chase tennis immortality, Swiatek’s quest to channel Alcaraz’s zest for the game promises to make her an even more formidable and relatable champion.
Leave a Reply