WATCH: Swiatek Fails To Hide True Feelings About Possibly Facing Nemesis Ostapenko
NewsSaturday, 31 May 2025 at 11:09
Iga Swiatek couldn't really hide her true feelings about possibly facing Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round of the 2025 Roland Garros.
Swiatek is the best female clay-court player of this generation, and she might end up being the greatest female clay-court player of all time at the end of her tennis career. She enters every Roland Garros as a top favorite, and despite her patchy form, the same applies this year.
Despite all that, there is one woman whom Swiatek probably doesn't want to face on any surface, ever. Jelena Ostapenko played the Polish player six times, and she beat her in all six matches, losing only three sets in the process.
Most recently, Ostapenko beat Swiatek in Stuttgart, proving that she simply knows how to beat the four-time French Open winner. The two could have met again at Roland Garros, and Swiatek did her part of the job to make that happen.
The 24-year-old Pole beat Jaqueline Cristian to reach the fourth round, but Ostapenko's draw was a bit tougher. The Latvian had to take on former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, and she couldn't beat the Kazakhstani player. Ostapenko didn't play a good match, losing 2-6, 2-6.
However, when Swiatek held her press conference after her win over Cristian, the match between Rybakina and Ostapenko was still in progress, so she didn't know who would be her next opponent. That's why the Polish player was asked about her possible opponent. She first tried to provide a diplomatic answer.
"I think Elena is winning, so we'll see who's gonna win, but for sure, both of them are great players, and we've been playing for many years, a lot of matches, so we know our games, and both matches are going to be a challenge."
Right after giving her answer, Swiatek was asked whether she had any preference when it comes to her next opponent. She tried to put on a poker face, as she said clear 'No.'
However, right after answering the question, the Polish player locked eyes with one of the reporters, and couldn't avoid laughing, with the whole press room joining her.
It was clear that Swiatek didn't want to play against Ostapenko again, and she joked about her reaction immediately after, saying she couldn't be a poker player.
"Am I a good liar? Let's see, doesn't matter really. I couldn't play poker."
Thanks to Rybakina's win over Ostapenko, Swiatek managed to avoid the Latvian player, but that doesn't mean her upcoming match will be any easier. She will take on Rybakina, who beat her four times in eight matches. The Kazakhstani player also seems to be confident ahead of their meeting.
"Of course she’s very comfortable on these courts. Every day, every match is different. Obviously I’ll try to focus on myself mostly. We’ve played so many times. So I know what to do. We will see how it goes. Definitely, I’ll do my best."
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