Iga Swiatek book club update: What the world No 1 is reading
Iga Swiatek book club fans will be delighted to learn that the five-time Grand Slam winner has revealed what she is reading at the moment as she prepares for the US Open.
Swiatek is reading Out of Africa, the memoir of Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who lived on a coffee farm in Kenya for many years.
The Pole was put on the spot by a three-part question during a press conference but gave an update to those who love to know what books the 2022 Us Open champion is reading,
She was asked: “What makes you comfortable on the court? Second to that, where did you go after Cincinnati? Did you stay there to practice? When did you arrive in New York? Lastly, have you got some great book that you’re reading right now?”
Swiatek replied: “Three questions? So I’m reading “Out of Africa,” if that translation is good. So I’m reading that. One of the three is done.
“Second one, I stayed in Cincinnati for one more day just to enjoy some peace, and I was able to, like, be at the swimming pool and everything. I wanted to recover that way.
“We came here. I had one more day off after the day of travel, and I spent it with my friends. And I started practising on Thursday.
“I don’t remember the third one.”
Swiatek would circle back to reveal what makes her feel comfortable on the court saying that it was a feeling that she can make most of her shots.
“I think it’s just a feeling of that you’re able to do most of the things naturally,” Swiatek added.
“You don’t have to think extra and, you know, take care of some technicalities or your movements, because you can do it just with your intuition. I think this is when players feel comfortable.”
WTA News
Aryna Sabalenka lifts maiden US Open title as Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff falter – our predictions
Swiatek couldn’t shed much light on why she sometimes trains with her mouth taped up but added that she finds using breathing techniques helps her not to overthink in matches.
She shut down the suggestion that she used similar techniques to Novak Djokovic saying her methods were ‘probably not as advanced’.
“Well, it’s not like we’re doing that a lot. I tape my mouth a little bit last year. I only do that when my coach tells me to do it, because I can’t really explain what it does. I can’t really tell you guys in specific, like, yeah, I’m not good at science behind this. So I’m doing what they tell me to do.
“But breathing, for sure, it’s important. I have my techniques, as well. It’s important on the court to breathe in a particular way. I’m trying to always, you know, remember that, even though there are many things to remember.
“Also, I try to use it as kind of a meditation thing, but obviously you’re not going to meditate on the court. But focusing on your breath, I don’t know, it just makes me calmer and makes me, you know, busy — I’m not going to think about some other stuff that may cause that I’m distracted. I use breathing in different ways. Probably not as advanced as Novak.”
Swiatek will begin her US Open campaign with a first round match against Kamilla Rakhimova on Tuesday.
READ NEXT: Iga Swiatek ‘vulnerable’ verdict issued as the Pole is told to copy Rafael Nadal tactics at US Open
