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PARIS, FRANCE October 10. Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates her victory against Sofia Kenin of the United States in the Singles Final on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on October 10th 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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PARIS, FRANCE October 10. Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates her victory against Sofia Kenin of the United States in the Singles Final on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on October 10th 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Iga Swiatek attained a historic triumph at Roland Garros 2020 and announced her talent to the world. Swiatek is now gearing up for the 2021 WTA season, and she’s expected to leave a mark at the upcoming Australian Open, where the Polish teenager will face tremendous pressure.
This will be Swiatek’s third appearance at the Australian Open, and she almost made it through to the quarterfinals in 2020 but was agonizingly knocked out in the fourth round by Estonian Anett Kontaveit.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Iga Swiatek of Poland in action against Anett Kontaveit (not seen) of Estonia during women’s singles match within 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on January 27, 2020. Kontaveit won the match with 2-1. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Australian Open is taking place this year amid massive challenges, and Swiatek is one of the favorites in the women’s singles division. But the reigning French Open champion would have to be at her absolute best both physically and mentally.
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Iga Swiatek opens up on facing pressure ahead of Australian Open 2021
Swiatek stunned everyone by playing an unmatched level of tennis throughout French Open last year. She won the final Grand Slam of 2020 and is coming into a new calendar year with an improved reputation that she has to sustain.
Swiatek had to come through the strict quarantine rules just like any other player to compete at the Australian Open. The Polish player got quite innovative while being locked up in her hotel, and improvised by creating training routines right inside her room.
One way to do my quarantine workout in my hotel room…
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Trening podczas kwarantanny w pokoju hotelowym? Można i tak.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/1OiItCwTnB— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) January 17, 2021
The astounding part is that Swiatek even performed some intense drills inside her hotel room and this preparation reflects the level of determination she’s entering the tournament with. When asked about her expectations from the upcoming event, Swiatek said:
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“I don’t feel like more pressure than before French Open. Actually I’m more kind of confident that I can play good tennis. But it all depends on my preparation, on my attitude. Basically, I’m trying to keep my expectations low, even though I did a really good pre-season.”
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Iga Swiatek of Poland in action against Anett Kontaveit (not seen) of Estonia during women’s singles match within 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on January 27, 2020. Kontaveit won the match with 2-1. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Switek began the pre-season with intense training in her home country, and the teenager mentioned that it was the hardest she’s ever worked. Now as the Australian Open is set to commence, the Polish player has further raised the intensity levels.
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Iga Swiatek is a serious contender to win the women’s singles event at AO 2021, and she’s making the required preparations that can help scale the second Majors title in her promising career.
Also Read | “Eager and Driven”: Ashleigh Barty Reveals Excitement for Her Comeback Ahead of Australian Open 2021
