After many tennis fans accused Iga Swiatek of being a player that is strictly good on clay, the Polish world number one proved everyone wrong as she booked a place in the US Open final. Christopher Clarey, the author of a Roger Federer biography, tweeted during Swiatek’s semifinal match about Iga being on the verge of busting the myth.
“Iga Swiatek one game away from her first major final on something that is not red and slippery,” Clarey wrote.
Iga Swiatek one game away from her first major final on something that is not red and slippery — Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 9, 2022
How did Swiatek get her clay bully reputation
Iga Swiatek won Roland Garros twice in her career but her hard court performance had been far less attractive before her US Open 2022 run.
Swiatek lost in the second round in Toronto against Haddad Maia. In Cincinnati, in the same stage of the competition, the Polish world number one was defeated in straight sets by Madison Keys. A tennis fan pointed out that Swiatek is good only on slow courts after Iga’s defeat against Keys.
“At the moment it looks like Swiatek is only a great player on slow courts. Madison, on the other hand has great tools for a fast court. She has underachieved given her talent,” the fan tweeted.
At the moment it looks like Swiatek is only a great player on slow courts.
Madison, on the other hand has great tools for a fast court. She has underachieved given her talent. — nickvid007 (@nickvid007) August 18, 2022
“Clay merchant, just like her idol Nadal,” another fan tweeted.
Clay merchant, just like her idol Nadal. — Maks 🇵🇱 (@MaKsZ50) August 18, 2022
Swiatek made Pegula drench her loss with beer
Yet, Swiatek has been so good at US Open that she made one of her opponent’s have to drink beer to deal with the loss.
During her post-match press conference, Jessica Pegula chose to sip from a Heineken beer can. After a journalist told Pegula that she likes Heineken, Pegula gave two reasons why she picked up the can. “Thanks! I’m trying to pee for doping, so…” was the first reason.
“Although it does help ease the loss,” Pegula added. Watch the moment in this article: Pegula drinks beer to “ease the loss” against Swiatek: “I’m trying to pee”
