Iga Swiatek has recorded a fairly indifferent start to her 2026 season.
The Pole kicked off the campaign representing her country at the United Cup, where she tallied three wins and two losses.
In her first match at the Australian Open, Swiatek was put to the test against China’s Yue Yuan, but ultimately managed to emerge victorious and advance to round two.
What has been the biggest upset at the Australian Open so far?
One of the 24-year-old’s defeats at the United Cup was handed to her by Coco Gauff, whom she has not beaten since 2024.
Swiatek is on a four-match losing streak against Gauff, but she said that does not bother her.
Iga Swiatek addresses her losing streak against Coco Gauff
When asked in a press conference at the Australian Open if her struggles against the American play on her mind, Swiatek replied: “Honestly, it doesn’t.
“Also, when I was winning against her, it didn’t. That’s why I guess it was possible for me to continue, because I wasn’t taking it for granted, or I don’t know, coming to a match unfocused.
“I guess it kind of tells you something more about maybe the game or things you should work on or improve because, you know, also she improved.
“So yeah, but the head-to-head I guess doesn’t really matter. Maybe for her, if you ask her the same question, it’s different.
“But I guess I just really want to treat every match as a separate story. Every match also is in different conditions.
“So there’s no point to, like, always come back and… Last time we played was Madrid (outside of their 2026 United Cup match). Also, it was over six months [ago].
“It’s kind of long in tennis life. It’s not like a whole story for me. It’s more about how I feel that month or that week and how she feels, how we’re going to play against each other. That’s it.”
How far do you think Coco Gauff will go with this draw?
Iga Swiatek’s four-match losing streak against Coco Gauff
Prior to the 2024 WTA Finals, Swiatek held a dominant record in the head-to-head with Gauff, leading the rivalry 11-1.
It was at the year-end tournament that Gauff managed to get her second win over Swiatek, beating her in straight sets.
She claimed another win over the now-six-time major champion at the 2025 United Cup, before making it three in a row at the Madrid Open later that season.
In all four of Gauff’s wins, including the most recent one at the 2026 United Cup, she has not dropped a set.
Gauff and Swiatek are on opposite sides of the draw at this year’s Australian Open, meaning they could meet in the final.
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