Iga Swiatek eyeing Olympic glory at Roland Garros

World No 1 Iga Swiatek is prepared to face another challenging season but is relishing the prospect of a shot at Olympic glory at her favourite venue.

The pressure to repeat her record 2022 season increased the challenge level last year; nevertheless, the coming year’s calendar includes the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place this summer at Roland Garros.

While each player’s perspective on the Olympics’ significance may differ, Swiatek has a unique bond with the events. Tomasz, her father, was an Olympic rower for Poland in 1988.

In Tokyo in 2021, Swiatek made her own Olympic debut but in the second round, Paula Badosa prevailed against her and she bowed out in tears.

“For sure the pressure was huge,” Swiatek said.

“I mean, you could see after I lost against Paula, I cried, it was a big fuss.

“This time is going to be a little bit different. I’m going to know the venue. It’s going to be on my favorite surface. On the other hand, these also bring up more expectations from the outside.

“I guess I’ll have to do the same kind of work as I do on every other tournament. I’m not going to lie to myself that it’s going to be easy or the same because it will be different a little bit.”

Swiatek insists that she is the most prepared for a season that she has ever been.

“Playing those final matches in Cancun with such baggage on my shoulders in terms of rankings, it gave me a lot of confidence,” Swiatek told reporters at the United Cup Media Day.

“I learned a lot about myself. I’m going to take it in 2024.

“Honestly, I’m looking ahead for these tournaments that are going to happen here in Australia for me. I want to take it step by step. I feel more prepared for sure to deal with the pressure of being World No.1 this year than last year.”

The United Cup gives Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz a chance to team as a mixed doubles pairing in a year when they could bid for Olympic gold together.

WTA Coach of the Year Tomasz Wiktorowski says the week will build toward Olympic success.

“Obviously we won’t be able to practice mixed doubles too many times, so this is a very good chance for us to play for our country and at the same time, to practice for Olympic Games,” Wiktorowski said.

“We’re always saying we’re always right here right now for this tournament, but, yes, with Iga we are thinking about the Olympics. Maybe we’ll have one more chance in Indian Wells — there is a small exo where we can play mixed doubles. We have a chance for Olympic medal. We’re going to practice here and try to deliver to the court the best quality we can.”

Swiatek starts her 2024 season with a singles match against Beatriz Haddad Maia who beat Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in her first match.

READ MORE: Spaniard eager to test herself against World No 1 Iga Swiatek