Iga Swiatek will be one of the top favourites at the Australian Open due to her current level and the way she performed last year.
Last year, her journey was interrupted by a semi-final loss to Danielle Collins, but this year, the Polish superstar is anticipated to perhaps go all the way. Although the competition will be stiff, she has undoubtedly shown over the last few months that her best is superior to everyone else's best.
“Swiatek is a great player,” said Pat Rafter of the three-time Grand Slam champion. "I saw [her play] a lot because I watched a lot of Ash [Barty] playing. So whenever I watched Ash as well, they were coming up against each other, and she's had a really great year."
“She's got a lot of smarts about her, she's one of those girls that I thought had that sort of X element part of the game and by all accounts is a really lovely girl as well. I know Ash is a really big fan of hers, so she'll be great to have here," added Rafter.
Her season will begin at the United Cup where she'll play in the Arena that is named after Rafter but her ambitions are certainly fixated on the Rod Laver Arena primarily.