Swiatek Admits To Feeling 'Sore' And 'Tired' After Two Double Duties At BJKC Finals
News
Iga Swiatek brought the curtain down on her 2024 season at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, and it seems like the former WTA world No. 1 could use a break after her efforts in Malaga.
Swiatek initially planned to end 2024 at the WTA Finals. She became the fourth player in the last twenty years to win two round-robin matches but still not qualify for the semifinals at this year's iteration of the tournament.
However, Swiatek shocked fans by reversing her decision to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Although all members of Team Poland deserve respect, their chances looked non-existent without Swiatek.
The four-time French Open champion may have decided to compete at the team event to get more match practice with new coach Wim Fissette. She began working with Naomi Osaka's former coach last month, and the WTA Finals was their first tournament together.
Team Poland faced the hosts Spain in the opening round. After Magda Linette beat Sara Sorribes Tormo, Swiatek sealed her country's quarterfinal place by overcoming Paula Badosa in three sets.
In the quarterfinal, Swiatek triumphed 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 after an epic battle against Linda Noskova before partnering Katarzyna Kawa to beat Marie Bouzkova and Katerina Siniakova to secure Poland's semifinal spot.
The 2022 US Open winner prevailed after another lengthy battle against Jasmine Paolini in three sets to level the semifinal tie against Italy. That meant Swiatek had to win a doubles match again to take her country to the final.
But that proved to be one step too far. Paolini got her revenge by partnering with Sara Errani to defeat Swiatek and Kawa 7-5, 7-5 to reach the final, despite the Polish pair holding a 5-1 lead in the second set.
Speaking in a press conference after Team Poland's elimination, the 23-year-old admitted to feeling tired but had no regrets after fighting as hard as she could until the last point during the semifinal.
"Honestly, I don't I ever been that tired (smiling). Also, you know, because of the last match we played. So yeah, but still, like, no regrets. I fought for every point. Yeah, there was maybe one rally at the set point that I could have played better, but tactically I messed up. But overall, you know, we fought till the end, and we gave it all."
Swiatek acknowledged she was trying to survive physically after her long singles matches against Noskova and Paolini. The world No. 2 began the semifinal with Italy already tired, but it became especially difficult in the doubles after Paolini pushed her hard in the singles.
"Well, I don't think I'm going to feel any strength tomorrow after I wake up, like everything will be sore. For sure I played some nice matches here."
"Well, today I was just trying to survive physically, but first two matches, like I'm happy that, I don't know, I was able to be more focused and really in the right moment, even though yesterday, like, my game wasn't, like, perfect. Also Linda played really great."
Latest Comments
- Kyrgios will do anything to stay in the news.shirley19-12-2024
- A technical error.
MrMustard18-12-2024 - All that is said , all that is done. Nick has 0 grand slams wins. Everything else is hot 🥵 air.MrMustard18-12-2024
- All that is said , all that isMrMustard18-12-2024
- Kyrgios is a jerk.shirley17-12-2024
- If Jessica Pegula had to undergo such horror for using a bannes substance, so do these two tennis players. Penalty should apply to all players regardless of their excuses. They are professionals and know better!!
Stella112-12-2024 - All players should be treated the same for taking banned substances, if your no 1 in the world or no 300 man or woman you should not be allowed to keep playing,,VPH108-12-2024
- Ah, censored again. No one gets to read my comment. LOLjjluvsports08-12-2024
- Reynolds, could you list all the wars started by the U.S. and U.K., or will you run out of paper? Hypocrisy.jjluvsports06-12-2024
- IDK, it looks like to me that Raducanu should praise herself and her team for 'gaming the system' as in playing the points and ranking game. When you look at her season of wild cards, skipping tournaments (including the Paris Olympics!), retiring from losing matches and avoiding qualifying rounds, it seems like there was some plan to move up the ranks without actually playing a lot of tennis. And it worked! Congrats!RealityCheckers04-12-2024