Iga Swiatek is refusing to hit the panic button regardless of being diminished to tears after a shock straight-sets hammering on the United Cup.
Poland’s world No.1 confessed to having no solutions to the relentless energy of impressed American Jessica Pegula on Friday.
“I felt kind of helpless today because physically and mentally I wasn’t able to kind of show up even, and problem-solve,” mentioned the reigning French and US Open champion.
“So it’s always hard when you lose, especially when you’re kind of playing for the team and your country.
“So I used to be simply unhappy. But it is not the primary time I cried after a misplaced match. Nothing particular.”
In Swiatek’s defence, she had to fly from Brisbane – where Poland played their group matches – to Sydney on Thursday while Pegula had already won three singles and two mixed doubles matches inside Ken Rosewall Arena.
Even the American conceded she’d enjoyed somewhat of a home-court advantage after the USA had been based in Sydney for their pool fixtures and the city final.
“I’m not gonna blame that as a result of, , we simply must play tennis,” Swiatek mentioned.
“But, yeah, the previous two days had been fairly unlucky, the whole lot principally.
“Our travel got delayed yesterday. After like sitting all day you have to practice and get used to the conditions, but you can’t do that in like 30 minutes.
“The situations are related, the court docket is principally the identical, however the rain. In Brisbane it was fairly humid and sizzling. Here, the alternative.
“So it wasn’t easy. I didn’t recover well.”
Still, Swiatek views her first lack of the 12 months – to the world No.3 no much less – after three earlier wins and a gruelling 2022 marketing campaign extra of a hiccup than a setback.
The three-time grand slam winner and sizzling Australian Open favorite will head to Melbourne Park sufficiently assured of including a fourth main to her assortment after a refreshing low season break.
“I’m not worried,” she mentioned.
“I would say I recharged my batteries, but pre-season is so intense that when you’re playing first tournament of the season, you feel a little bit of fatigue.
“So I really feel like I’m going to be extra contemporary earlier than Australian Open really than earlier than this match.”
Swiatek might but have yet another singles and probably one other combined doubles match to play in Sydney if Poland handle to tug again a 2-0 deficit towards the USA in Saturday’s remaining three rubbers.
