Iga Swiatek survived her closest battle this week at the 2024 Italian Open and confirmed that she doesn't feel unbeatable.
Swiatek certainly didn't look unbeatable in her most recent match against Coco Gauff because the American put her under a lot of pressure at certain times. The Pole's heavy celebrations after certain rallies indicated just how much it meant to her to win those because it was a close match.
A few things going differently could have helped Gauff actually win the match. In fairness, Swiatek was better and did deservedly win, but it was a really close match, and she certainly didn't look unbeatable. She admitted as much after the match when asked about it.
"No. If I would feel that way, I wouldn't play so well because I always try to remind myself that I shouldn't expect anything, take anything for granted. Usually when I feel like this one is going to be a winner, I'm going to win this game, it doesn't happen, so... I have to think a little bit differently to be more efficient."
Swiatek was asked about it because she's now won 11 matches in a row and has a chance to win back-to-back WTA 1000 trophies. As she said in her response, feeling unbeatable doesn't really help her because exactly feeling beatable keeps her so focused and motivated.
It keeps her engaged and working hard because no win is guaranteed. She has to go out and earn it, and she was able to do that in recent weeks. Her last defeat is not that old, as she was beaten by Elena Rybakina at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, so she's certainly beatable.
It might not look that way recently but she can be beaten and Aryna Sabalenka will try to prove that in the final.
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