Iga Swiatek responds when asked if she’s prioritising a return to world number one in 2026

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Iga Swiatek finished 2025 ranked number two in the world, behind her great rival Aryna Sabalenka.

The Pole threatened to take the top spot from the Belarusian at times last year, but was unable to do so.

She begins 2026 trailing Sabalenka by 2,475 points, a gap that she could start to close down under.

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That’s not all that is on the line for Swiatek in Australia, however, as she has a chance to complete the Career Grand Slam with a win at the year’s first major tournament.

During a press conference at the United Cup, Swiatek was asked if she was prioritising becoming world number one or completing the Career Grand Slam.

Iga Swiatek says completing the Career Grand Slam and returning to world number one are both ‘big’ goals

“I don’t need to choose, you know?” she said.

“I’m not, because I’m just focusing on my own process. Both of these things are hard to achieve and are a big goal.

“Also, there is a long way to get there.

“On a Grand Slam, you have to really play great for two weeks, not have any bad days, be consistent. Yeah, it takes a lot to win a Grand Slam.”

Swiatek is a six-time Grand Slam champion, but has yet to lift the trophy on Rod Laver Arena.

Iga Swiatek’s Grand Slam wins

• 2020 French Open
• 2022 French Open (2)
• 2022 US Open
• 2023 French Open (3)
• 2024 French Open (4)
• 2025 Wimbledon

She’d love to win the Australian Open, a title that would bring her closer to Sabalenka in the race for number one.

“Achieving number one also is tough, especially when Aryna [Sabalenka] has been playing great for the last years,” said Swiatek.

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“Yeah, I’ll just focus on myself, honestly, because that’s the only way to go.

“I don’t need to choose which one is more important, which one is a priority.

“I’m still young. I have, like, plenty of time to do different things and achieve different goals in my career.

“I really don’t need to put that pressure on myself to do something in the next two weeks or something.”

Swiatek has work to do before the Australian Open anyway, as she looks to guide Poland to their maiden United Cup title…

Will 2026 be Poland and Iga Swiatek’s year?

Since the tournament’s inception in 2023, Poland have been one of the strongest and most consistent sides at the United Cup.

In 2023, Poland reached the semifinals of the United Cup, losing to the United States, before falling to defeat in the next two finals.

2024 United Cup final – Poland vs Germany

2025 United Cup final – Poland vs USA

After two heartbreaking defeats, Swiatek will be desperate to win in 2026.

To do so, Poland will need to advance from a tough group, which features the 2024 champions Germany and the Netherlands.

Swiatek will again be joined by Hubert Hurkacz, Poland’s top male player.

Team Poland at the 2026 United Cup

• Mateusz Terczynski (Captain)
• Iga Swiatek (WTA)
• Hubert Hurkacz (ATP)
• Daniel Michalski (ATP)
• Katarzyna Kawa (WTA)
• Jan Zielinski (ATP)
• Katarzyna Pita (WTA)

Only time will tell how they will perform and if they can finally lift the trophy, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

Poland will begin their United Cup campaign on Monday, January 5, against Germany.

Swiatek is scheduled to play Eva Lys after Hurkacz plays Alexander Zverev.