If ever there was a moment that summed up Iga Swiatek’s approach to her craft, it came 39 minutes into her third-round meeting with Kaja Juvan at the US Open.
Juvan, a Slovenian qualifier ranked 145, is Swiatek’s closest friend on the WTA Tour, although you would hardly have known it. The Polish world No 1 had not allowed her an inch all afternoon but now, for the first time, Juvan had a game point. When she converted it, after Swiatek sent a backhand return sailing beyond the baseline, a beaming Juvan waved her fist and then raised both arms aloft, drinking in the applause of the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd. At the other end, the defending champion shadow-stroked a backhand, evidently wondering what had gone wrong.
It was vintage Swiatek: focused, unflappable, inward-looking. If there was a part of her that felt happy at not visiting humiliation on a woman she has known since they were both aged 13, she did not show it. Her concentration is absolute. Carlos Alcaraz-style smiles in the heat of battle are just not Swiatek’s thing. Laser-like focus is the only way she knows and, given that it has carried her to 74 weeks at No 1 and four grand slam titles, who is to argue?
“I wasn’t laughing, for sure,” said Swiatek after making just five unforced errors in a 49-minute, 6-0, 6-1 victory. “For sure it wasn’t an easy match for her. Emotionally as well, it’s not easy to play with such a score.
“But I really just wanted to focus on myself. I think also, because I knew that it was going to be a little bit harder for me to focus because she’s my best friend, I was actually more focused than usual.
“I’m happy that I could do that and I was fully professional. Usually in a match when something like that happens, I don’t really look. I did the same this time as well.”
There is a difference, however, between not engaging in such moments and not wanting to engage. Swiatek’s relentless appetite to improve extends not only to forehands and backhands, but also to learning how to take a more relaxed and balanced approach to her tennis. It is an area on which she received advice from Roger Federer when she met the Swiss legend at a promotional event in Brooklyn last week.
“I kind of have to learn how to find more joy [in being No1],” said Swiatek. “I talked with Roger about that last week, and the best way to approach it is really to embrace it and be proud and happy with your results.
“I wouldn’t say I got used to it, but for sure I’m learning how to navigate it.”
The Pole has also noted with wonder the approach adopted by her childhood idol Rafael Nadal, who took time out at Roland Garros last year to watch his beloved Real Madrid face Liverpool in the Champions League final at the Stade de France. Despite a chaotic journey to the ground, Nadal defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime the following day and went on to win his 14th French Open title. Swiatek looked on enviously.
“I was so shocked because Rafa went, and I know that the [Champions League] final finished really late,” said Swiatek. “I was like, ‘Oh, I wish I could have done that as well.’ But it’s years of experience and learning how to still have energy and focus on your match, because he played [the] day session next day.
“I wish I could do that, but I’m getting better. I also talked with other athletes that already finished their careers and have a lot of experience, and they also said I shouldn’t rush it. I should really do it step by step.”
Swiatek’s next step in New York will be a last-16 showdown with Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian, a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 winner over Bernarda Pera, has won each of their three previous meetings, all of which came before the Pole ascended to the No 1 ranking last March. She feels she has nothing to lose.
“I’m just going to play my game and focus more on myself,” said Ostapenko. “For sure it’s going to be a difficult match. On the other hand, I have nothing to lose and I’m already in the fourth round. I think it’s a good achievement, especially at the end of the year. I’m just going to play my best.”
Swiatek, who must outperform Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows if she is to retain top spot, is alive to the potential danger.
“With Jelena, it’s a little bit like one day she can play a perfect match and just put everything in even though she’s really risking, and another day can be different,” said Swiatek. “You never know what to expect.”
As Juvan can attest, however, perfect matches are hardly foreign territory to Swiatek either. It promises to be an intriguing contest.