Iga Swiatek names the only two players she follows on the ATP Tour now after Rafael Nadal’s retirement

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Iga Swiatek will look to add an 11th WTA 1000 title to her collection at this year’s Indian Wells tournament.

The Polish world number two is yet to win a title on the WTA Tour in 2025, but may well be the favorite to do so in California.

Swiatek beat Maria Sakkari to win Indian Wells in 2024, having done so against the same opponent two years earlier.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a solid start to her 2025 campaign, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and Qatar Open, before losing to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Swiatek’s defeat in Dubai saw her slip further away from rival Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA rankings, as she now trails the Belarussian by over 1,000 points.

Ahead of her title defense at Indian Wells, the Pole took the time to answer questions about one of the sport’s most exciting young players.

Iga Swiatek says Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca are the only two ATP players she watches

In an interview with ESPN Brasil, Swiatek was asked for her thoughts on rising star Joao Fonseca, as she revealed he is one of just two players she watches on the ATP Tour.

“I think he’s amazing,” she said.

“Honestly when Rafa [Nadal] retired I haven’t been watching much of ATP.

“But you know, I always follow Carlos Alcaraz and I have trouble finding other players who really strike me and I love their game.

“Then I watched Joao [Fonseca] and I really enjoyed how he plays, how he moves, the kinds of decisions he makes on the court.

“I think for sure he’s going to be a player I will follow and maybe because of him I will watch a little bit more of ATP and enjoy that because he’s been amazing and he’s doing great.”

Swiatek then said how she ‘hopes’ the Brazilian fans treat their talented prospect.

“There’s been a lot of pressure on him so for sure I hope the Brazilian fans will take it easy on him because he’s still young and he has time to develop,” she said.

“So I think with enough peace of mind, step by step he’s going to become a great player.”

Fonseca won the Argentina Open last month, his first tour-level title, as he beat home favorite, Francisco Cerundolo in the final.

Iga Swiatek’s route to the 2025 Indian Wells title

Entering the tournament as the number two seed, Swiatek has been handed a tough draw in the United States.

Two former Grand Slam finalists, Ons Jabeur and Karolina Muchova have been placed in her ‘section’, as she’ll have to be at her best to advance to the quarter-finals.

• 2R – Caroline Garcia
• 3R – Ons Jabeur
• 4R – Karolina Muchova
• QF – Qinwen Zheng
• SF – Madison Keys
• F – Aryna Sabalenka

Should she run the Jabeur, Muchova, Qinwen Zheng gauntlet, Swiatek could set up an Australian Open rematch with Madison Keys.

Keys saved match points to beat Swiatek in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, a tournament she went on to win.

The American star hasn’t appeared on the WTA Tour since, as fans eagerly anticipate Keys‘ return in California.

World number one Sabalenka may await Swiatek in the final should the pair make their way through the Indian Wells field, another tough test for the five-time Major champion.

Swiatek leads the head-to-head with Sabalenka but lost their most recent encounter at the 2024 Cincinnati Open.

The 27-year-old won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to secure her fourth victory over Swiatek in 12 attempts.

Sabalenka will kick off her Indian Wells campaign against the winner of Anna Blinkova and McCartney Kessler while Swiatek faces off against Caroline Garcia on Friday, March 7.