Swiatek outlines her progress since first Miami title in 2022: “I don’t feel I need to prove anything”

Two years ago, Iga Swiatek was still coming to terms with the sudden retirement of Ash Barty, the Australian who was head and shoulders clear at the top of the women’s game when she decided to hang up her racquets.

Barty’s decision left Swiatek as the world No 1 but not really feeling like she deserved it. It didn’t look that way from the outside, with the Pole winning Indian Wells and Miami back to back that year to cement her place at the top.

Swiatek: “I learned so much”

But for the then 20-year-old, it was a test of her mental strength as she dealt with being world No 1. It was a test she came through impressively, of course, and as Miami begins, she stands with four Grand Slam titles to her name and well clear at the top herself. That, she said, is something to be proud of.

“For sure I’m in a different place,” she told reporters. “I really learned so much and I kind of proved a lot. I feel like that was the main theme at that time two years ago, to prove (to) everybody that I’m in the right place.

“So now I don’t feel like I need to do that. I feel like I already kind of did my my job pretty well. And I want to continue that. And I feel like for sure I feel more peacefully and just that I’m in the right place, and I’m doing great job.”

TRYING TO JOIN ILLUSTRIOUS GROUP

Having won Indian Wells in fine style, Swiatek will begin her title campaign against Camila Giorgi. Memories of her victory in 2022, she said, were still fresh.

“In terms of the conditions here, it’s always difficult, it’s humid and hot,” she said. “But I remember I really felt comfortable, you know, on the surface two years ago, so I’ll see what my practice brings me.”

Should she complete the Sunshine Double, Swiatek would join an illustrious group of players to do so; Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Steffi Graf. It’s a long way off yet, but the Pole knows its significance.

“I don’t feel like we should talk about ifs,” she said, cautiously. “I’ll do everything step by step, as usual. No need for me to like, go and already think about winning the trophy, because I haven’t even practised here.

“I still have many matches to play so we’ll see how it’s going to go. Obviously, it would be a dream come true. It’s not an easy task. I felt like I even overachieved two years ago. So this time, I’m just going to do everything as usual, and I think that is the best way to go.”

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