Iga Swiatek failed to secure the 2022 Australian Open final losing in the semi-finals but it was a crucial moment for her career.
It was important because it gave her the confidence to believe she could win a grand slam on a hard court, and she would succeed in doing so in New York half a year later. Swiatek defeated Ons Jabeur to win her third grand slam of her career while competing in her second grand slam final of the year.
“Making it to the semifinal of this Grand Slam (Australian Open) was extraordinary because for me, it was the first time I actually believed that I could win grand slams on hardcourts," explained Swiatek in a recent sitdown with Life & Leisure.
“Before that, I thought of myself as more of a claycourt player, so the Australian Open was a big test for me and I feel like I passed it. So I took a lot of confidence from the tournament. It showed me that I’m really going in the right direction,” added Swiatek who proved herself much more than just a clay courter.
She would add a couple of more hard corut trophies to her cabinet after the Australian Open winning the Sunshine Double in Miami and Indian Wells.