Agency :
World number one Iga Swiatek believes that he is doing a good job at handling expectations as he continues his efforts to win a second French Open title.
Swiatek, who turned 21 on Tuesday, has won five consecutive tournaments, including four WTA 1000 titles, and is currently on a 33-match winning streak as she prepared to take on Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in the semi-finals at Roland Garros on Thursday.
Tennis great John McEnroe felt the pressure to become the overwhelming favorite he could get to Swiatek.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion McEnroe said that a load of hope thought could be the only thing that could stop 2020 French Open champion Swiatek from lifting the Suzanne Lenglen trophy for the second time.
“Everyone expected her to win. It was tough,” Eurosport tennis expert McEnroe told Reuters this week. “It’s likely that he can feel the pressure will be up to him a little bit.”
Swiatek did not lose the set when he won his inaugural Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2020 and only dropped one during his current campaign.
He traveled with a sports psychologist on his team and has claimed Daria Abramowicz in the past to be mentally stronger.
“This tournament, the Grand Slam, is so tough,” she told reporters Wednesday after beating Jessica Pegula to set up a semi-final against 20th seed Kasatkina. “So I think only underdogs can feel more free at Grand Slams.
“But on the other hand I also learned how to deal with pressure and expectations and I think I’m doing a good job.”
Swiatek, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year, fell in the last eight stages at Roland Garros in 2021 while defending his title.
Pole said that he would like to be better this time and feel the pressure.
“I’m even more proud of myself that I can handle that and really push myself to not think about it and just focus on tennis,” he added.
McEnroe noted the possibility that Swiatek could be the dominant player in women’s tennis for the next few years.
“I don’t know how comfortable she will be on the grass right now. I don’t know if her game is ready enough for that,” the 63 -year -old said. “I could be wrong. But it looks like he’ll get a lot of majors. Yeah, for sure.”
