Iga Swiatek says she wasn’t at 100 percent for Elena Rybakina clash

WTA Tour

James Richardson
March 18, 2023

World No 1 Iga Swiatek has put her defeat to Elena Rybakina down to her own mistakes and a niggling injury.

Rybakina takes a 2-1 lead over Swiatek in their head-to-head series, and this almost certainly won’t be the last time the two women lock horns.

The Kazakh No 1 has Swiatek’s number at the moment, and she is riding high on confidence off the back of another win over the top-ranked woman.

Swiatek’s mindset might not be as upbeat as she acknowledges the need to get a potential rib injury examined.

Speaking after the loss, Iga Swiatek said: “Honestly I feel like it’s still more me and kind of my mistakes. I’m also like not feeling 100 percent physically. I have a little like discomfort in my rib, and we’re going to consult with medical team. For sure I’m gonna use these days off before Miami… Actually, I have one more day.”

Swiatek says that she doesn’t want to push herself to play through injuries which could put her participation in the Miami Open in doubt.

“Honestly, I haven’t played with a lot of injuries.

“It’s a new situation for me, for sure.

“Last time I played with an injury, like the only tournament I can remember is like Roland Garros 2019. So I was pretty young. Now it’s a totally different level. So I feel like going on that matches you have to be 100 percent fit.”

Swiatek admitted that she was disappointed to miss out on a second consecutive Indian Wells final but felt that it was a good week all things considered.

She would give props to her opponent who picked up her second big win over the world No 1.

Rybakina becomes just the second women to defeat the world No 1 at both the Australian Opena and Indian Wells.

“For sure Elena played great tennis today, and I feel like against her I have to play better,” Iga Swiatek said.

“She was playing really well. I’m pretty sad that I lost, but on the other hand overall it’s a pretty good tournament for me.”

As the top seed in Miami, Swiatek heads the 32 seeds who enjoy a bye into the second round, meaning she will get that extra day to recover before she is next in action.

Miami Open qualifying gets underway on Sunday 19 March with the main draw to be finalised on Monday 20 March 2023.

Iga Swiatek