Iga Swiatek’s touching tribute to Caroline Wozniacki ahead of their Indian Wells Open clash
Iga Swiatek has expressed her admiration for Caroline Wozniacki ahead of their Indian Wells Open clash, but she has vowed not to take her foot off the gas in terms of her preparation for the match.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek was once again in imperious form as she defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 6-2 to book her place in the quarter-final of the WTA 1000 tournament with former world No 1 Wozniacki awaiting.
World No 79 Putintseva sent down some underarm serves and tried to disrupt Swiatek, but the Pole was able to solve every puzzle during the match to reach her 15th WTA 1000 quarter-final.
“I can only be responsible for what’s going on with me,” the world No 1 said. “I want to keep my standards high no matter what’s going on, and I think this match was a test for my mental training that I did.
“I’m happy with the way I was focused and really just, I didn’t really care about what’s going on. I’m prepared that many things can happen on court.”
With Wozniacki winning the battle of the tennis mothers and as she defeated Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-2, it will be a second-career meeting with Swiatek following their 2019 clash. The Dane, a mother of two, made a comeback last year after she retired in 2020, but she is slowly but surely regaining her best form.
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Swiatek doffed her cap to the 33-year-old Wozniacki although she is determined not to drop the ball in terms of her preparations for the big match.
“She’s really experienced. I really respect her. I think she is playing great, even after her maternity break she was fighting to come back,” she said after her win.
“I have huge respect. For sure it’s gonna be a nice match, I’m going to prepare like [for] any other opponent, but off the court she’s a great person.”
Wozniacki, though, has studied her opponent’s game well since she made her return to competitive tennis and she knows she will have to be at their best come Thursday.
“Obviously she’s playing good tennis, playing powerfully,” she said. “I practiced with her as well a few times after I have come back, during the US Open as well. I know how she plays, but it’s one thing knowing how she plays and also playing against her in a full match.
“I know that I have to play my best tennis to compete against her, and that’s what I hope to do.”
