World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is tempering expectations after an early exit at the Australian Open last month.
Riding a 13-match win streak, having won the season-ending WTA Finals in Cancun, Swiatek was stunned by Linda Noskova in the third round. The 22-year-old is scheduled to return to action at the year’s first WTA 1000 event at the Qatar Open.
Ahead of taking on Sorana Cirstea in her campaign opener, Swiatek said in her pre-match press conference that she would like to keep her expectations modest following a ‘peaceful’ downtime at home:
“I’m that kind of person that really works hard, so if I’m going to work hard, you know, during some period of time, you know, my tennis will get better, you know, but I wouldn’t say right now my time at home was really peaceful. It was a little bit different, honestly.”
About her comebacks following unexpected exits, the Pole said that she has worked hard to regain a bit of lost confidence, which was missing Down Under:
“Also, I know that I had these comebacks, as you may say, or my level got up, but it’s not like it’s going to happen all the time, so I’m really trying to keep my expectations low and work hard to find more confidence in my game, because, for sure, in Australia, I lacked it a little bit.”
Throwing the gauntlet to the rest of the field, the two-time defending champion added:
“I don’t know if the story is going to repeat itself (smiling). I will do my best to play the best tennis possible here, and that’s all.”
Swiatek is off to a 7-1 start in 2024 and has won the last two Doha titles.
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