Beaten Swiatek not hitting panic button

Darren Walton | January 6, 2023

Iga Swiatek is refusing to hit the panic button despite being reduced to tears after a shock straight-sets hammering at the United Cup.

Poland’s world No.1 confessed to having no answers to the relentless power of inspired American Jessica Pegula on Friday.

“I felt kind of helpless today because physically and mentally I wasn’t able to kind of show up even, and problem-solve,” said the reigning French and US Open champion.

“So it’s always hard when you lose, especially when you’re kind of playing for the team and your country.

“So I was just sad. But it’s not the first time I cried after a lost match. Nothing special.”

In Swiatek’s defence, she had to fly from Brisbane – where Poland played their group matches – to Sydney on Thursday while Pegula had already won three singles and two mixed doubles matches inside Ken Rosewall Arena.

Even the American conceded she’d enjoyed somewhat of a home-court advantage after the USA had been based in Sydney for their pool fixtures and the city final.

“I’m not gonna blame that because, you know, we just have to play tennis,” Swiatek said.

“But, yeah, the past two days were pretty unfortunate, everything basically.

“Our travel got delayed yesterday. After like sitting all day you have to practice and get used to the conditions, but you can’t do that in like 30 minutes.

“The conditions are similar, the court is basically the same, but the rain. In Brisbane it was pretty humid and hot. Here, the opposite.

“So it wasn’t easy. I didn’t recover well.”

Still, Swiatek views her first loss of the year – to the world No.3 no less – after three earlier wins and a gruelling 2022 campaign more of a hiccup than a setback.

The three-time grand slam winner and hot Australian Open favourite will head to Melbourne Park sufficiently confident of adding a fourth major to her collection after a refreshing off-season break.

“I’m not worried,” she said.

“I would say I recharged my batteries, but pre-season is so intense that when you’re playing first tournament of the season, you feel a little bit of fatigue.

“So I feel like I’m going to be more fresh before Australian Open actually than before this tournament.”

Swiatek may yet have one more singles and potentially another mixed doubles match to play in Sydney if Poland manage to pull back a 2-0 deficit against the USA in Saturday’s remaining three rubbers.