Iga Swiatek’s efforts to secure the career Grand Slam has taken her into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, capping off an impressive first week Down Under.
Alas, her clash with Maddison Inglis was sadly a non-contest for the Aussie, whose fairytale run came to a crushing end at the hands of the ruthless former world number one.
Iga Swiatek’s 6-0, 6-3 win has set up a mouth-watering clash with Elena Rybakina, who beat Elise Mertens in a similarly straightforward win too.
Speaking after beating Inglis in front of a hopeful and ultimately disappointed Australian crowd, Swiatek spoke honestly about how the fans in Melbourne have been over the first eight days of action.
Iga Swiatek honestly rates the Australian Open crowds
Asked about whether she manages to head out of her hotel and explore during Grand Slams, the 24-year-old admitted that she doesn’t have that capability anymore, and has never really experienced it during a packed tournament.
After all, she admitted: “I can’t really go outside. I would love to. I only do, honestly, on Roland Garros, because I know I can sneak around sometimes a bit, because I know the venue better. I know the places.
How far do you think Osaka could have got without injury at the Australian Open?
“Yeah, I mean, here when we’re eating, we have a view on this main place with the screens where people watch. For sure, it seems super busy there. There are queues to the stores and everything.
“But I don’t even remember how it was before. I also played most of my Grand Slams at the beginning in COVID. I have no comparison how it looked before, like, 2019.”
Alexander Bublik spoke about the Australian fans too recently, after playing Alex de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena.
Iga Swiatek says whether she struggles to play night matches
Swiatek was then asked about her preference for playing time, having been scheduled to feature in the Australian Open’s night match of late.
Asked if she has any preference, and how she finds it waiting around to play, the five-time Grand Slam champion admitted: “Well, it’s not like I’m anticipating anymore, because it would just be a waste of energy. I’m kind of thinking about the match in second part of the day.
Who stops Iga Swiatek from completing the Career Grand Slam in Australia?
“But obviously it is in the back of your mind. For sure it’s more energy-consuming than, like, playing early on and then having basically two days off or one and a half days off instead of just one.
“I’m fine with both. Like, I have my routines. I know what to do. I still try to enjoy my time before the match, not be, like, stuck and thinking about the match, because that’s what happened, like, at the early stages of my career. Honestly, I played so many matches that it wasn’t working anymore. I’m just trying to keep it chill.”
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