Swiatek admits she isn't '100% motivated' for some WTA events

Monday, 31 October 2022 at 08:00

Updated at Monday, 31 October 2022 at 00:06

byTom Grant

Iga Swiatek has had a near faultless tennis year, racing ahead of the rest of the WTA field in terms of ranking points, Grand Slams and tour titles.

This year, the young Pole has won 64 tennis matches, including an incredible 37-match unbeaten run from February to June.

The 21-year-old arrived at this week's WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas as hot favourite to wrap-up a quite dominant season of women's tennis.

It's hard to see how Swiatek can top 2022, so it comes as a bit of surprise when she admits that she isn't always fully focused when it comes to some WTA events, particularly those directly after a Grand Slam.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the season-ending women's event, Swiatek was asked how she stays motivated.

She replied: "I feel like I also accepted that I don't have to feel ... always 100% motivated. Sometimes, especially after Grand Slams, when you are playing these smaller tournaments, you feel the energy level is a little bit lower," Swiatek said. "But on the other hand, when I'm going on court, it's still the same, and I always want to win. I'm basing my motivation on that.

"It's OK, sometimes, to not be so pumped, you know?"

The admission may come as a shock to some yet a grim reminder to fellow WTA stars just how far ahead Swiatek is from the rest of the tour.

However, she is sure to be motivated for the Fort Worth event - a field she qualified for in September - as she was drawn in a group with Coco Gauff, Caroline Garcia and Daria Kasatkina, all players Swiatek owns a winning record over.

A win in the United States would be the perfect ending to a near perfect year, and one she may remember for the rest of her life.