Swiatek insists 'everything is fine' after back-to-back defeats / Photo: © AFP
-
Italy Claims Curling Silver at European Championships in Ostrava
-
Indian crude-sensitive shares gain after 13% oil-price decline
-
Kuwait finance minister holds economic cooperation talks at COMCEC
-
Stocks and dollar fall as Democratic election gains reshape markets
-
Abdul El-Sayed declares victory in Michigan Senate contest
-
Kuwait marks key events and anniversaries from national history
-
Democrats capture US Congress in sweeping midterm victory
-
Trump congratulates Democrats and signals willingness to cooperate
-
Manchester United rallies past Roma as PSG dominates in Champions League
-
Qatar prime minister advances mediation through diplomatic calls
-
Qatar sees tentative opening for renewed regional diplomacy
-
Greenland parliament approves security agreement with United States
-
Qatar Tourism joins Pacific Asia Travel Association at London travel market
-
Qatar envoy meets incoming UN General Assembly president
-
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat in Historic Election
-
Trump Signals Willingness to Work With Democrats After Midterm Defeat
-
Qatar media bodies discuss support for humanitarian initiatives
-
Pitches and Keynote Speakers Are Confirmed for Blue Magic Netherlands on November 17
Swiatek insists 'everything is fine' after back-to-back defeats
Iga Swiatek insists "everything is fine" despite back-to-back losses in the lead-up to the Australian Open, with the world number two "super sore" but confident of recovering for the season-opening Grand Slam.
The Polish star crashed 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic in the mixed-teams United Cup final in Sydney on Sunday, which came on the back of a lacklustre 6-4, 6-2 defeat to Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.
A shellshocked Swiatek lost seven games in a row against Bencic, including a rare set to love, with a racquet toss and tears at the end of the match summing up her frustration.
It was uncharacteristic for the six-time Grand Slam winner, who rarely loses consecutive matches.
She most recently did so at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November, falling to Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova. Before that, her previous back-to-back defeats were in 2021.
"Everything is fine," she said after the final, which Poland won 2-1 courtesy of Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski clinching the deciding mixed doubles.
"Just super sore. I guess first tournament of the year, it costs the body a bit differently than during the season. But I had similar experience last year also.
"I'll just get good recovery, couple days off.
"Also I know these team events. I love them but they really take a lot of energy from you. I still need to figure out how to balance that maybe in the future."
Swiatek, who picked up solid wins over Eva Lys, Suzan Lamens and Maya Joint before meeting Gauff and Bencic, admitted she physically was not in the second set against the Swiss.
"I think it was a mix of me losing the intensity, and I wasn't feeling so sharp with movements and with my legs. I wasn't so precise any more physically I would say," she said.
With the Australian Open starting at Melbourne Park on Sunday, Swiatek has little time to iron out her technical issues after 36 unforced errors to Bencic's 10 on Sunday.
"We're going to work now to improve some elements that didn't work this week," she said.
"Still not a lot of time for that if I also want to have some recovery days. This is how tennis is. You got to go with the flow. We'll see."
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam title to evade the 24-year-old, who has made the semi-finals twice but never gone further.
She lost in the last four in 2025 to eventual champion Madison Keys.
O.Krause--BTB
