Iga Swiatek could complete the Career Grand Slam with a win at the 2026 Australian Open.
The Polish star has won Wimbledon (2025), the US Open (2022), and the French Open (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), but has yet to lift the Australian Open trophy.
Looking to do so for the first time in 2026, Swiatek enters the tournament as the number-two seed.
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She looked in good spirits during the One Point Slam earlier in the week, taking down ATP star Flavio Cobolli on her way to the quarterfinals.
However, with the start of the tournament just two days away, reports suggest Swiatek is far from 100%.
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, respected tennis journalist Jon Wertheim provided an update on the six-time Grand Slam champion’s condition.
Jon Wertheim says Iga Swiatek cut practice short due to fitness concerns
Wertheim has heard that the Polish star is struggling physically.
“She’s a little dinged up, she’s cut practices short, and she’s not in great spirits,” said Wertheim.
Swiatek has played four singles matches in 2026 so far, and heads into the Australian Open with a 2-2 record.
Iga Swiatek at the 2026 United Cup
- [WIN] vs Eva Lys, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
- [WIN] vs Suzan Lamens, 3-6, 2-6
- [LOSS] vs Coco Gauff, 4-6, 2-6
- [LOSS] vs Belinda Bencic, 6-3, 0-6, 3-6
The level she showed against Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic was particularly concerning for her fans.
If she is to win her first Australian Open title in 2026, she will need a big step up in performance.
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Former world number one Andy Roddick doesn’t expect her to make that step up, and predicted Swiatek to lose to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.
Andy Roddick predicts Iga Swiatek’s 2026 Australian Open
- 2026 Australian Open 1R – Iga Swiatek defeats Yue Yuan
- 2026 Australian Open 2R – Iga Swiatek defeats N/A
- 2026 Australian Open 3R – Iga Swiatek defeats N/A
- 2026 Australian Open 4R – Iga Swiatek defeats Naomi Osaka
- 2026 Australian Open QF – Elena Rybakina defeats Iga Swiatek
A quarterfinal defeat would be devastating for Swiatek, given how close she came to the final a year ago.
Swiatek had a match point in her semifinal with Madison Keys, but failed to convert, as she missed out on a maiden final down under.
Only time will tell if she can go one better in 2026…
What has Iga Swiatek said ahead of the Australian Open?
Wertheim shared his concerns that Swiatek isn’t fully fit, but the Pole didn’t seem too worried during her pre-tournament press conference.
“I had a really solid couple of days training here,” said Swiatek.
“The tournament in Sydney for sure gave me a lot of energy. I’m happy to be back.”
Swiatek did, however, admit things didn’t necessarily go to plan for her at the United Cup, even if Poland did win the title.
“Yeah, for sure, losing singles is always not a good feeling. But on the other hand, I also had a United Cup where I won all the singles, and we still lost. I was really just trying to appreciate the moment and have the opportunity to be happy with the title, because at the end, this is a team event,” she said.
“The Sydney matches weren’t the smoothest ones. It wasn’t an easy start.
“I think I still need to work on some stuff. I could play better.
“Overall I think it’s also going to be about the mentality and if I’m going to be able to go on court and just enjoy playing and give this extra energy, kind of not something I can describe, but just bring the intensity and be there every point and not really care if I’m going to make some mistakes or something will not work.
“Just go forward and try to push.
“So I’m working on all of this stuff. Hopefully, yeah, it’s going to be fine. But I wouldn’t say I played my best game in Sydney.”
It remains to be seen if Swiatek can rediscover her ‘best game’ at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament…
Swiatek will begin her 2026 Australian Open campaign against China’s Yue Yuan.
The pair have met once before, at the China Open last year, a match Swiatek won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3.
She’ll undoubtedly hope to extend her winning record to 2-0 when she plays Yuan in the first round on Monday, January 19, or Tuesday, January 20.
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