Iga Swiatek Eyes Wimbledon Success Amid Rivals’ Fitness Struggles

Iga Swiatek Eyes Wimbledon Success Amid Rivals’ Fitness StrugglesPublished 7 seconds ago on June 29, 2024By Anita kelce

For all her achievements over the last few seasons, Iga Swiatek remains largely unproven on grass courts, but the Pole will have a golden opportunity to claim a maiden Wimbledon title with her rivals hampered by injuries and illness before the Grand Slam.
The five-time major champion has been an unstoppable force since inheriting the world No. 1 spot following Ash Barty’s retirement in 2022, although none of the 22 titles in her vast cabinet have
come on the sport’s slickest surface.

But fresh from her fourth French Open title amid a 19-match winning streak stretching back to May, the 23-year-old will head to the All England Club primed to go past the quarterfinals for the first time and prove herself as an all-court player.

Swiatek will have to adapt quickly to her least favorite surface after choosing to skip tune-up events and stay fresh for the year’s third Grand Slam.Iga Swiatek Eyes Wimbledon Success Amid Rivals’ Fitness StrugglesPublished 7 seconds ago on June 29, 2024By Anita kelce

For all her achievements over the last few seasons, Iga Swiatek remains largely unproven on grass courts, but the Pole will have a golden opportunity to claim a maiden Wimbledon title with her rivals hampered by injuries and illness before the Grand Slam.
The five-time major champion has been an unstoppable force since inheriting the world No. 1 spot following Ash Barty’s retirement in 2022, although none of the 22 titles in her vast cabinet have come on the sport’s slickest surface.

But fresh from her fourth French Open title amid a 19-match winning streak stretching back to May, the 23-year-old will head to the All England Club primed to go past the quarterfinals for the first time and prove herself as an all-court player.

Swiatek will have to adapt quickly to her least favorite surface after choosing to skip tune-up events and stay fresh for the year’s third Grand Slam.

The fates of several of her top rivals appear to have justified her decision.

Defending Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova sustained an injury after slipping during a match at the Berlin Open while world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka also retired from the same tournament last week with a shoulder problem.

Ons Jabeur’s campaign in Germany was also cut short due to illness while last year’s Wimbledon runner-up was joined in the sick bay by 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, leaving Coco Gauff as the only other top contender enjoying an incident-free run, though all remain the draw.

“I had these ideas, like doing a preseason on grass so I can learn how to play there. Last year’s result was pretty nice. I feel like every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass,” Swiatek had said shortly after her Roland Garros triumph.
Iga Swiatek Eyes Wimbledon Success Amid Rivals’ Fitness StrugglesPublished 7 seconds ago on June 29, 2024By Anita kelce

For all her achievements over the last few seasons, Iga Swiatek remains largely unproven on grass courts, but the Pole will have a golden opportunity to claim a maiden Wimbledon title with her rivals hampered by injuries and illness before the Grand Slam.
The five-time major champion has been an unstoppable force since inheriting the world No. 1 spot following Ash Barty’s retirement in 2022, although none of the 22 titles in her vast cabinet have come on the sport’s slickest surface.

But fresh from her fourth French Open title amid a 19-match winning streak stretching back to May, the 23-year-old will head to the All England Club primed to go past the quarterfinals for the first time and prove herself as an all-court player.

Swiatek will have to adapt quickly to her least favorite surface after choosing to skip tune-up events and stay fresh for the year’s third Grand Slam.

Defending Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova sustained an injury after slipping during a match at the Berlin Open while world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka also retired from the same tournament last week with a shoulder problem.

Ons Jabeur’s campaign in Germany was also cut short due to illness while last year’s Wimbledon runner-up was joined in the sick bay by 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, leaving Coco Gauff as the only other top contender enjoying an incident-free run, though all remain the draw.

“I had these ideas, like doing a preseason on grass so I can learn how to play there. Last year’s result was pretty nice. I feel like every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass,” Swiatek had said shortly after her Roland Garros triumph.

“The biggest progress I can make on grass now is using my serves that were better but also I don’t expect a lot. The balls are different. Overall tennis is different on grass. I’ll just see and I’ll work hard to play better there.”

Huge threat
Sabalenka had reached at least the semifinals of six Grand Slam tournaments going back to 2022 before the ailing Belarusian was beaten in the Roland Garros quarterfinals this month, but she will represent a huge threat to Swiatek if fully fit.