Iga Swiatek is continuing to win at the US Open, despite finding some things challenging about the New York major.
Swiatek has enjoyed some dominant US Open wins in her career, including over her best friend, and she continued that sort of form after beating Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3 6-1.
This was a much more impressive performance from Swiatek, who struggled in her two previous matches at the US Open.
Despite her comprehensive victory, Swiatek has revealed that she finds certain things more challenging at the US Open compared to Wimbledon.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesIga Swiatek says she finds the crowds at the US Open ‘harder’ than at Wimbledon
Swiatek is a six-time Grand Slam champion, with four of those major title victories coming at Roland Garros.
The Pole won her most recent major on grass, with Swiatek winning Wimbledon for the first time in July.
Swiatek is also a former US Open champion, having won the title in 2022, but explained in her post-match press conference that she finds it harder to focus more in New York with the crowd noise and the bright lights.
“Yeah, for sure it’s harder to focus, and the sensation is different and it’s harder to be in your bubble,” said Swiatek.
“On the other hand, like, honestly, if I’m gonna actually be in my bubble, I don’t think I’ll hear anything, so it just depends on how a day and on how I how I do this and how I do the work, like in my head mentally to ignore all these sounds, but yeah, it’s a totally different experience.
“Even like with the introduction before the match, at Wimbledon you don’t have it, but here, like, you know, suddenly everybody’s reminded you how much you won.
“And then the screens, you know, at the stadium, sometimes, like, you see the lights during the point and it’s different, for sure, it’s a totally different experience. It’s harder here, for sure.”
Amanda Anisimova ‘excited’ for rematch with Iga Swiatek at the US Open
There will be a Wimbledon feel to Swiatek’s quarterfinal match at the US Open, as she will play American Amanda Anisimova.
Swiatek beat Anisimova 6-0 6-0 in the Wimbledon final, making it the first time a player had not won a game in a major final since 1988.
Despite the heartbreaking experience for Anisimova at Wimbledon, she actually revealed in her on-court interview after beating Beatriz Haddad Maia that she was looking forward to playing Swiatek again.
“Who would have thought we would be meeting again so soon,” said Anisimova. “I’m just super excited, and it’s going to be a great match, I hope, this time (laughs).
“But I’m feeling good, and she is playing some great tennis. So, I really hope that we put on a great performance.”
Swiatek will play Anisimova for a place in the US Open semifinals on Wednesday, September 3.
Regardless of what she achieves in New York this year, Swiatek cannot overtake Aryna Sabalenka as world number one.