Iga Swiatek will head into the French Open as one of a handful of favourites to win the title. However, for her, this is a step down.
After all, as a four-time champion in Paris, and a truly dominant force at Roland Garros in recent years, many would have expected her to be the overwhelming favourite.
Such has been her poor form though heading into the event, things have changed dramatically.
No longer is she expected to brush aside all competition on Philippe Chatrier. Instead, the Polish superstar now has something to prove.
Iga Swiatek on her tactics ahead of Roland Garros
One reporter was keen to know if she had potentially conjured up any new strategies to combat this poor form.
Swiatek replied: ’It’s not that complicated. Strategy and tactics are like… you’re working with yourself so it’s not like you have tactics, but for sure I want to be more positive about what I am doing, not focused too much on the mistakes. Kind of just go for it, be more brave. Yeah, we’ll see.’
Then asked about how she is trying to handle the constant and futile pursuit of perfection, the 24-year-old offered up a mature answer: ’I don’t think it’s possible to not be a perfectionist but for sure there are ways to control it a little bit more.
‘Lately, when I made some mistakes on the court I focused on them a little bit too much. I thought I was working on them but it was more like anchoring on them. I needed to realise that by myself, even though my team kind of told me that it’s happening. I don’t know, I just thought I was working on it.
‘For sure yeah, the perfectionist has been a little bit harder the past few weeks but it’s not the first time, it’s just the first time I’m probably speaking so much about it.’
Frustratingly, though, Swiatek was handed a tough draw at Roland Garros, meaning the task of defending her crown has gotten significantly harder.
Should Iga Swiatek still be the favourite at the French Open?
Despite her poor form, it’s worth noting that such a disappointing run is only framed that way because of the standards she has set for herself.
A victim of her own success, Swiatek still reached the semi-finals in Madrid, a feat that cannot be ignored.
Just because she doesn’t walk into Roland Garros without every clay-court title from that particular year doesn’t mean she isn’t still a huge threat, especially given how relaxed and happy to be back in Paris she seems.
If Swiatek can find her groove again early on in this event, the 24-year-old will gladly use it to reassert her dominance and reestablish who the clay-court boss remains.
