Iga Swiatek is on the hunt for a Career Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open.
The Pole has captured six majors already at the age of 24, but the Melbourne crown still eludes her.
Swiatek‘s best result at the Australian Open is a semifinal finish, which she achieved in both 2022 and 2025.
In the final four last year, she lost to eventual champion Madison Keys, despite taking the opening set against the American.
Ahead of her 2026 campaign Down Under, Swiatek only found out who she may have to play en route to the final when facing the media.
Iga Swiatek finds out she has Naomi Osaka in her quarter of the draw
In her pre-tournament press conference, Swiatek was told that both Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina are in her quarter of the draw at the Australian Open.
She responded: “I’m not looking at the draw, so thanks for the heads-up.
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“No, it’s not a joke. I’m literally not doing that. So please don’t spoil it for me. I want to be surprised after every match. No, because I didn’t know. That’s it.”
Swiatek has played Osaka three times before on the WTA Tour, with their first clash coming at the Canadian Open in 2019.
The Japanese star won that match, but Swiatek has since taken a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head having emerged victorious in their meetings at the 2022 Miami Open and the 2024 French Open.
Against Rybakina, Swiatek leads 6-5, but she was beaten by her in their most recent bout at the WTA Finals.
Iga Swiatek says she is ‘fine’ with jet lag after arriving in Australia
Many players struggle with jet lag after touching down in Australia for the first Grand Slam of the year, but Swiatek said it is not a problem for her.
She explained: “I’m totally fine with jet lag in Australia since I’m always coming from, like, dark, sometimes grey Europe in November or December.
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“Like just waking up with having sun outside honestly is the best cure for jet lag. In Australia I honestly feel always fine.
“I think the worst jet lag is in China. Also because you’re tired of the season, you know? But the rest is fine because when we go to U.S., it’s also easy because you just wake up earlier.”
Swiatek’s first opponent at the Australian Open is Yue Yuan of China.
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