Relaxed Iga Swiatek speaks to junior reporter at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Iga Świątek press conference on Day 2 of WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Dubai, UAE, Monday, 20th February, 2023.
The top seed and world No. 1 is living the ‘dream’
Dubai, UAE – February 20, 2023: Fresh from a first win of the year and a 12th career title in Doha, World No.1 Iga Swiatek landed at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships today, and immediately revealed her career success to date is exceeding her dreams as a child – but ominously warned her rivals that there is “even more” to come.
When asked by Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship junior reporter Sarah Bachnakova, an 11-year-old student at South View School in Dubai, what advice she would give to her younger self, Swiatek’s answer carried all the hallmarks of a relaxed and confident player very much in her groove.
“I would tell myself that it’s possible and that I’m actually going to do even more than I expect, that I dreamt about,” said the Pole, who produced a devastating display of precision and power in conceding just five games in three Doha matches following a disappointing fourth-round exit at the Australian Open.
“I think I would give myself a little bit more of the belief, and inspiration. When I was younger, it was all just tennis, school, and there wasn’t much perspective. I always watched WTA. I thought [it was] a totally different place. Maybe I would tell myself that I’m going to be at that place pretty soon,” Swiatek smiled at her young questioner.
Top seed in Dubai, Swiatek starts her quest for a maiden Dubai title on Tuesday (February 21) against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in Tuesday’s evening session on Centre Court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Grab Your Seats
Tickets for the 31st edition of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are on sale now at dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com/tickets, starting from Dh55. Tickets are also available at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Box Office between 9am and 9pm daily. The Championships starts with the 23rd staging of the WTA event, which runs until February 25, before the 31st staging of the ATP Tour 500 tournament from February 26 to March 4. Both events carry equal prize money.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
