Iga Swiatek‘s defeat to Jessica Pegula has stunned the tennis world. So, even almost a week after that disappointing loss, the tennis world is still busy dissecting the probable reasons behind this downfall. Downfall? Yes, no one expected the world number to commit nearly 41 unforced errors in a do-or-die match! Even she acknowledged this fact, saying she committed “too many” mistakes in this match. Swiatek was visibly very emotional after this disappointing loss, but is it the only reason behind her poor performance? Her compatriots and former WTA stars, Joanna Sakowicz-Kostecka and Klaudia Jans-Ignacik, hinted at a major reason behind Swiatek’s disappointing campaign.
During an interview with ‘Program Tenisowy’, Kostecka said it’s pretty much hard to stay composed when everything is coming back at a good speed, and on top of that, the player is clearly very tired from the season due to the Olympics. She added, “A mind that is overworked and has no time to regenerate will not function well and make decisions calmly.” After her R3 match, we heard Swiatek say, “I’ll try to give them more opportunities to smile because, for sure it’s not easy for the coach to smile.” Kostecka also noticed that Iga Swiatek didn’t react properly in her communication with the staff and in her response to on-court communications.
Speaking on this lack of reaction to the coach’s suggestions, the 40-year-old former tennis player added, “In my opinion, it was due to overload, not tension between Iga and the coach. It happens, and it is a signal to the staff and to us that a longer break is needed.” She highlighted, “At such a high level, the calendar and regulations are inexorable. Let’s remember that Aryna Sabalenka did not take part in the Olympic Games.” Joanna Sakowicz-Kostecka admitted seeing Swiatek commit so many unforced errors is a bit unusual but at the same time, she felt the criticisms she faced after that match was a bit too harsh.
Klaudia Jans-Ignacik also spoke about this during an interview with ‘Misja Sport’. She stated, “When you play at such a level, there is no way you won’t have someone who is responsible for your regeneration.” Iga Swiatek wasn’t too pleased with her serves in that match against the American. She failed to hit even a single ace in the entire match! Swiatek won 56% of her first serve and 53% of her second serve against Jessica Pegula. Several former players, including John McEnroe and Chris Evert, also spoke about the impact of grueling schedules on the players in the last few days.
“Not easy” – American tennis legend points out the major reasons behind Iga Swiatek’s disappointing US Open exit
Previously, we saw Iga Swiatek venting out her frustration with the current schedule in WTA. She has also time and time again urged the tennis bosses to make a change. However, this is one of those major things which still keeps on haunting the tennis players. Speaking on the same lines, Chris Evert said, “I certainly understand Iga Swiatek’s concerns about playing in too many tournaments, especially when she goes far in these tournaments every week.” She said having the Olympics in the same year has made this topic perhaps more important now.
Even John McEnroe stated, “You can see that all the players who were at the Olympics are struggling physically and mentally. It’s tough to go from clay to grass, back to clay for the Olympics, and then straight onto the hard courts. That’s not easy.” He pointed out how all the players who won medals at the Paris Olympics made an early exit from the 2024 US Open.
However, now the US Open is a past thing, what’s up next for the world number one? Well, she has already revealed that despite all these things; she doesn’t want to take a break. Swiatek is ready to play till November. She will perhaps now take part in the Korea Open, which will begin on September 16 in Seoul. Do you think she can regain her form after the US Open QF exit?
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