World No 1 Iga Swiatek reveals that making the semifinal of this year’s Australian Open gave her the belief that she could win a hard-court Grand Slam one day. Swiatek, 21, became a Grand Slam champion after winning the 2020 French Open.
After being known as a strong force on clay at the start of her career, Swiatek started the 2022 season by reaching back-to-back semifinals at the Adelaide International and Australian Open. Then, Swiatek captured three consecutive hard titles in Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami, before winning her first hard-court Grand Slam at the US Open.
Swiatek captured a total of five titles on hard this year as she also made it all the way at the San Diego Open in October.
Swiatek on her breakthrough moment on hard courts
“Making it to the semifinal of this Grand Slam (Australian Open) was extraordinary because for me, it was the first time I actually believed that I could win Grand Slams on hard courts.
Before that, I thought of myself as more of a claycourt player, so the Australian Open was a big test for me and I feel like I passed it. So I took a lot of confidence from the tournament. It showed me that I’m really going in the right direction,” Swiatek told Life & Leisure.
In January, Swiatek will be making her fifth Australian Open appearance. Going into the opening Grand Slam of the season, Swiatek is excited about playing again in Melbourne. “It’s a great city, and they always make it very comfortable for us.
And getting back on tour and the first Grand Slam of the season, I’m looking forward to it already,” Swiatek added. Now, Swiatek is entering the Australian Open as the biggest favorite for the title. After winning two Grand Slams this year, Swiatek would certainly love to kick off her 2023 season with her fourth Grand Slam victory.
