Tennis: New Swiatek deserves number one

As of Monday, the home of Warsaw will take first place in the world for the first time, nearly 1,700 points ahead of Czech Barbora Krijkova. “I’m really satisfied, fun and proud of myself,” said Swiatek, who was the fourth player to win the Sunshine Double after her successes in Indian Wells and Miami. “I have to celebrate now because I don’t know how long I can keep that streak going,” said the Polish woman happily.

17 consecutive wins on hard courts in one calendar year: Serena Williams managed it in 2015 between the Australian Open and Toronto. “I used that chain and also the arrangement to get more self-confidence,” said Swiatek, whose father Thomass had rowed successfully at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. With her surprising title at the French Open in October 2020, she had already cemented her great talent with her first-ever tournament victory.

But Swiatek could really take off this year. “I learned a lot about myself,” she said. “I don’t always have to feel 100% on the points to beat great players,” the 20-year-old, who has now taken a breather afterwards, explained: “I can trust myself a little bit more now.” Winning streak cited a “minor arm injury” as the reason for her rejection of Charleston.

Osaka now defeats Barda

Osaka, who lost in the final, is on her way to climbing again after dropping into the world rankings. The Japanese had publicized her mental health issues in the past, thus creating more awareness of this topic in sports. Osaka claimed it is now a little “cooler” about defeats like on Saturday. “You have to look at it from a certain perspective. You know what Iga is currently working on,” Osaka said.

In any case, the Asian player decided to prepare well for the upcoming claycourt season. In addition, she would like to study the clay court king par excellence, 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, on videos and, above all, his way of moving on the sand. “I’m not an expert on clay, but I think if I learn to move better, I have to be good.”

WTA 1000 Championship in Miami

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ATP 1000 Championships in Miami

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