Iga Swiatek warned competition is getting ‘tougher and tougher’ but backed to keep dominating
Alex Corretja believes it is getting “tougher and tougher” for Iga Swiatek because of the improvement of her rivals but feels she is still “going to be dominating.”
The former world No 2 backed Swiatek to win a Grand Slam in 2024 and declared that, while the Pole will still likely be the favourite on clay, “on other surfaces she will be just one of the favourites.”
Swiatek, who turned 22 in May, has claimed 17 WTA titles in her career so far, including four Grand Slam crowns, one WTA Finals triumphs and six WTA 1000 tournaments.
The three-time French Open champion finished as WTA year-end No 1 and was named as the WTA player of the year in both 2022 and 2023 after two stellar seasons.
Swiatek claimed a tour-leading six titles in 2023, including the WTA Finals in Cancun in her last event, as she compiled a brilliant 68-11 (86.1%) record.
The 22-year-old’s victory at the year-end championships saw her overtake rival Aryna Sabalenka to reclaim the world No 1 ranking she had lost after the 2023 US Open.
READ MORE: Former WTA star identifies player who will be the biggest rival for Iga Swiatek in 2024
Two-time French Open finalist Corretja praised Swiatek for her focus on development over short term results, while looking ahead to her chances in 2024.
“Swiatek she’s learning so much. I think she’s going in the right direction. She’s not just thinking about winning in the short term,” the Spaniard told Eurosport.
“She’s trying to improve different things, in my opinion. She’s hitting the ball harder, especially on the forehand side. Her surface game also been improving quite a lot.
“She needs to be able to be a contender against players that hit very hard. And she needs to be very aware about that. She’s very low on her legs and that’s why she’s also moving very well, probably the best mover on tour.
“And I think she knows now that she needs to be also very aggressive because everybody’s trying to dictate, but at the same time she’s trying to be very stable. So I think she’s going to be great in 2024 and I see her even more mature. So I’m sure that she’s going to win a Slam again.
“I think it’s getting tougher and tougher because some other girls, they’ve been winning Slams. Let’s remember about Coco Gauff winning the US Open. For her, it was a big breakthrough and I’m sure in 2024, she’ll be even more experienced, even though she’s very young.
“But the fact that Sabalenka already won a Slam, Rybakina as well – those players will be thinking that they can do it again. Maybe on clay [Swiatek] will still be the main favourite, but on other surfaces she will be just one of the favourites. But still, I think she’s going to be dominating.
“For her, it was so important to finish the year winning the WTA finals because she gained back her confidence. You can go work hard with confidence and then you start the new season knowing that you are the one dictating. And this is, in my opinion, very important for her.”
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek’s touching messages about Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka ahead of their comebacks
