John McEnroe feels Iga Swiatek «seems unsafe for some reason» and he suspects that the sudden change caused by Ashleigh Barty’s shock retirement might have something to do with it. After Barty retired, Swiatek won two Grand Slams and was ranked as world No. 1 for the first time in her career.
Swiatek, who since Barty’s retirement has established herself as the best player on the WTA Tour, suffered an upset loss in the round of 16 at the Australian Open to Elena Rybakina. After losing to Rybakina, Swiatek admitted that she felt the pressure and «I don’t want to lose rather than want to win.»
McEnroe: Swiatek seems insecure for some reason
“I was surprised that he lost.
It seemed like she wasn’t so emotionally grounded and she’s talked about the pressure of being No. 1. I covered Wimbledon last year and Rybakina is the type of player who can take the racket out of your hand and she’s playing at the same level. she was her when she won Wimbledon.
I don’t think the other players have figured out how to beat her. He covers a tennis court better than anyone I’ve ever seen. For me, with Swiatek, it’s more mental than physical right now. It’s about what’s going on in his head.
It seems insecure for some reason. Every time you win a couple of majors and you unexpectedly become No. 1 because a player retires, that’s a huge change. I hope he can take a step back, appreciate what he’s done and want to get back on the court and compete again,» McEnroe said, quoted in Tennis365.
Swiatek was considered the number one favorite for the Australian Open on the women’s side. But the Pole failed to deliver at Melbourne Park and she missed out on her first Australian Open title. It will be interesting to see if Swiatek can defend her French Open title in a few months.
