'Some Work To Do': Swiatek Adjusting To Change Of Physical Tennis Balls
WTASunday, 13 August 2023 at 18:00
Iga Swiatek says she has 'some work to do' regarding the change of physical tennis balls at tournaments in the wake of her three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula at the Canadian Open.
The top-seeded Swiatek was second best for much of the afternoon on Saturday, losing 2-6, 7-6, 4-6. Swiatek set an unwanted record for herself this season, ceding the most breaks in a match with 11. The only other time her serve was broken so many times in the past year was nine when she lost to Jelena Ostapenko in Dubai last season.
Nevertheless, Swiatek's loss doesn't harm her chances of being the No. 1 seed at the US Open in two weeks' time. Her closest challenger Sabalenka was also sent packing much earlier in Montreal, giving her a free pass in that regard.
While it was pointed out to Swiatek that a few players have noticed a massive difference in the physical ball in use this week, most players have had a fair and positive assessment of the ball change from Washington. Swiatek was among those who singled out a difference but admitted it remains their job to adjust to any changes.
"Well, there is a difference. That's why we're changing them, but it's kind of our job to adjust and to kind of technically adjust your game style for the ball to use the physicality, I guess. But, yeah, I still feel like I have some work to do in terms of that, but I guess, you know, with the matches it's going to come because I'm just going to get more and more feeling and more experienced."
The Polish star will now head to Cincinnati to get some much-needed momentum before the big battleground in New York. Swiatek will look to improve on her 50-9 win-loss record for the season when she opens up against one of Danielle Collins (who she beat in Montreal) or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
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