Iga Swiatek is eyeing an improvement in the near future, having just suffered a Miami Open quarter-final exit.
Andrea Petkovic thinks Swiatek’s confidence took a hit against Madison Keys at the Australian Open, where the Pole lost their semi-final.
Swiatek knows Aryna Sabalenka won’t decline, with the Belarusian having just emerged victorious at the Miami Open.
She now holds a healthy gap over Swiatek in the WTA rankings, with Sabalenka topping the pile as the Pole sits second.
Swiatek was the second seed at the Miami Open, where she suffered a shock defeat to 19-year-old Alexandra Eala.
Iga Swiatek withdraws from Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers
And on the back of that exit, she has now taken the decision to pull out of competing for her country at this month’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
Sharing an update on her Instagram story, the Pole wrote: “I have made a difficult decision. I know that this is not the information that fans, especially Polish ones, wanted, nevertheless, it is the right decision for me for now.
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek points out one difference between the players on the ATP Tour compared to the WTA
“I will not play in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tournament, which will be held in Radom. I always represent my country with pride.
“I played everything there was to play for the country last year. I am extremely proud of the historic team successes – the BJKC semi-finals and the UC finals.
“Now it’s time for more balance, focusing on myself and my training. I keep my fingers crossed for the girls and for the whole team. Iga.”
Iga Swiatek wise to withdraw from Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers as French Open nears
Poland have impressed of late in team events, having lost to eventual champions Italy in the 2024 BJK Cup finals in November.
Swiatek starred for her nation back then, and did the same as they lost the 2025 United Cup final to the USA in January.
And she will now be sorely missed in Radom, where Poland meet Switzerland and Ukraine on 10 and 11 April respectively.
Radomskie Centrum Sportu’s indoor clay courts play host, a surface on which Swiatek has enjoyed huge success throughout her career.
The WTA number two clearly feels the need to focus on her own game right now, which is a wise decision as the clay season gets underway, and also with the ruthless nature of the schedule.
She boasts four Grand Slam titles on the French Open clay, lifting the trophy in Paris in each of the last three years.
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