MY ACCOUNT
Only the understandable media attention is allowing Iga Swiatek to keep count of her incredible winning run that reached 30 matches on Thursday.
The world number one sealed her place in the third round of the French Open after a dominant 6-0 6-2 win against Alison Riske.
That victory made her just the fourth WTA Tour player this century to win 30 or more consecutive matches. She has also taken 46 of the past 47 sets she has played.
Speaking at a news conference following her milestone win, Swiatek insisted she does not follow the numbers – although she has no need to while her streak remains the focus of journalists.
“I know how many matches I have won in a row because you keep reminding me, basically,” she said. “But I don’t keep track.
“I’m not like noting or something. I just try to come back to these matches to get experience from them. But that’s the only reason why I come back to them.”
Swiatek was asked to explain what had inspired her imperious form, with her 39 match victories in 2022 already three more than she managed in the whole of 2021.
“I think basically I changed some things, like I started being more aggressive and trying to be more proactive on court,” she replied. “That’s something that my coach really helped me to do.
“But also, I think all the work we have been doing, even last season, it finally clicked somehow.
“You know, last season it was a year for me where I really gained so much experience. This year I feel like I’m using it the right way. I have this experience already, and I can just move forward.
“So I think it’s the physical work I have been doing but also with my psychologist, I think it’s the work of the whole team as well. I’m pretty glad that it clicks right now.”
The 20-year-old conceded her form will not last forever, but she is determined to enjoy it while it lasts.
“I was saying from the beginning that for sure I’m going to reach a point where I’m going to lose a match, and it’s pretty normal, you know,” Swiatek said. “I have been losing matches in tennis for a long time.
“For sure, the things we are doing right now are pretty extraordinary, but I know in tennis that only one person wins at the end. I will be okay with that.
“For sure, it’s not fun to lose, but I think it wouldn’t be different than any other loss that I had in my career.”
