Iga Swiatek anticipates a challenging transition back to hardcourt tennis at the Cincinnati Open, yet the world number one from Poland emphasized that she won't impose undue pressure on herself, viewing the WTA 1000 event as a 'practice tournament' leading up to the US Open.
Swiatek's last appearance on hardcourts was at the Miami Open in March, after which she secured clay court victories in Madrid, Rome, and at the French Open, before being eliminated in the third round at Wimbledon's grass courts. Having recently switched back to clay for the Olympics and earning a bronze medal at Roland Garros, the 23-year-old is approaching Cincinnati with tempered expectations.
'I understand that the initial hardcourt tournament won't be simple,' Swiatek stated, who is set to face either Ajla Tomljanovic or Varvara Gracheva in the second round this week. 'I plan to approach it as a practice tournament, but not in a manner that suggests I'm indifferent—rather, I aim to apply all the techniques I've been practicing.' 'I believe this is the optimal strategy for me at this moment.'
Swiatek highlighted Cincinnati as the perfect setting to regroup after a hectic tour schedule, as she gears up for the US Open from August 26 to September 8, where she targets her second title and sixth Grand Slam overall. 'I felt the need to reset after the Olympics and concentrate on refining my technique and simply working hard on the court,' Swiatek explained. 'This is the ideal place to do that. It feels slightly less chaotic, yet even before the tournament starts, there are numerous people and a significant number of fans.' 'So, it's still perceived as a crucial tournament.'
