Iga Swiatek admits she feels «there’s a target on my back,» noting that’s something she didn’t feel last year. After a disappointing result at the Australian Open, Swiatek returned to action in mid-February when the Pole won Doha.
The following week, Swiatek also reached the final in Dubai, but this time she lost to Barbora Krejcikova. After seeing her reaction to her final defeat in Dubai, Swiatek realized that anything other than her title is not considered enough.
«After Doha and Dubai, I felt that [the expectation] pretty strong Because I won a WTA 500 and I was in the final of a 1000, it was like a little run of matches that were pretty solid and I was really collected. But still, I lost in the final and people were, I don’t know, surprised, not happy with the performance, just critical.
And it made me think that last year before this great run and before winning all these tournaments I would be very happy with this result. But with all these comments right now, I felt like, ‘oh, that’s not enough,'» Swiatek said, according to eurosport.
Swiatek: There is a target on my back
«I feel like I have a target on my back a little bit, which I didn’t feel last year. It’s a different situation and I have to adjust to that. So I’m trying not to read a lot of this stuff.»
I don’t want it to influence me because I’m happy with all the work I’ve done. This is an example of how people’s attitudes changed a bit, and I don’t think it’s a positive change, but for me there’s sure to be more pressure and expectations because of it.
But I’m trying [cope with] that in the best way possible. I think I’m doing well,» added Swiatek. Now, Swiatek will return to action at a WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells. Last year, Swiatek won her first title in Indian Wells after beating Maria Sakkari in the final. This year, Swiatek is the seeded player and the top favorite to win it all again in the desert.
