For many years there has been a long-standing criticism about women’s tennis not being as superior as the men’s. Iconic stars like Billie Jean-King ended taking on male stars to prove a point and it is safe to admit that among all the women sports, tennis is the most followed and watched of all. 

However, for Iga Swiatek, the current standards aren’t enough yet and she pushes youngsters to work harder. The Swiss tennis star says that the women’s tour is now faster and more agile and aggressive than before. However, she also shares her admiration for the male stars and suggested that every tennis player should try to emulate Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and prime both their attack and their defence.

The current number is a favourite to take atleast two of the remaining three grandslams but if history of women’s tennis says anything, it is that the sport is very unpredictable. When asked about whether attacking players had now overhauled the previously dominant counterpunchers, she mentioned that a player must star both attack and defence. 

 “Well, but also there was Naomi (Osaka), right, and Serena (Williams) who played pretty strong game. So I don’t know. I don’t know if there is a change or not, but for sure, you know, I think we are overall like playing with more speed and physically we are ready to react faster, you know, so maybe this is why we play faster,” 

“But I would say, you know, having both things combined and being able to do both, like, I don’t know, Rafa or Novak, they can play great in defense and, you know, kind of be patient and also they can attack well.

“There are many girls right now whoare playing fast serve and fast first ball,” Swiatek said. “I think this should be the goal of every tennis player. You know, that’s why we are kind of working on both, but for sure there are many girls right now who are playing fast serve and fast first ball.”

The Pole has spoken many times before about her admiration for Nadal, calling him her “idol” and describing the chance to play doubles with him in an exhibition as “a dream come true”. They both won Roland-Garros the same year, in 2020. She also had time for a wry joke: when asked for the worst thing about being a professional tennis player, she replied, “Jet lag,” and the best? “Money and travelling! Well, that’s kind of obvious. No?” 

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