One of the world's greatest alpine skiers, Mikaela Shiffrin, has praised tennis World No. 2 Iga Swiatek for her modesty and security that is incomparable to players of her age.
Shiffrin and Swiatek have been the best of friends through Instagram, often chatting about their career paths and how to deal with fame. At 28, the American is one of the most accomplished skiers in history, garnering the most World Cup wins of any alpine skier in addition to winning two Olympic gold medals.
While the two of them have never met in person, Shiffrin is making it a priority to watch Swiatek in a match at some point. In the past, the Pole has made it clear, she would love to team up with Shiffrin in doubles on a tennis court. At the moment, their first meeting appears hard to schedule due to their work commitments.
In a recent interview on Vail Daily, Shiffrin is amazed at how Swiatek incorporates a simplistic approach to her life. Moreover, the American admits Swiatek has a way of doing things that distinguishes her from players with comparable success and seems to have an answer to every question.
"I don’t know if she feels this way, but what I see is, I don’t know, modesty, but then a security in herself that you don’t often see with athletes so young that also have the success."
"I didn’t know who the heck I was — I still kind of don’t — and somehow she just seems like she has certain things that are straight in her head. The answers she has now, already in her career, I wish I had those at that time in mine."
At this year's US Open, Swiatek's reign as World No. 1 was ended by Aryna Sabalenka. But the Pole is still in contention to finish the year as the No. 1 player for a second year, with this year's WTA Finals playing a pivotal role in that regard. Shiffrin is doubtless that Swiatek will get it back.
"What I said to her is ‘whatever, that’s coming back. It’s the mentality that you have that’s unbeatable, so just keep going."
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