Iga Swiatek Takes on a Grueling Schedule at the US Open
After clinching her first Cincinnati Open title, Iga Swiatek described the whirlwind schedule as her “most extreme.” In a tight match that ended 7-5, 6-4 against Jasmine Paolini on Monday night, the World No. 2 then hopped on a private jet to New York, joining Carlos Alcaraz as they prepared for the US Open Mixed Doubles tournament the following day.
“I managed to fit in some stretching, ice baths, quick showers, and a bit of media. An hour after finishing the match, we were already headed to the airport,” Swiatek shared in a press conference that kicked off the two-day event. “It was definitely fast-paced.”
Landing around 1:30 AM, she skipped sleep before diving into her first Mixed Doubles match against Casper Ruud, Madison Keys, and Frances Tiafoe. They didn’t even have time to hit the court first.
The duo dominated their American opponents, winning 4-1, 4-2 in the opening round, and then quickly defeating Caty McNally and Lorenzo Sonego 4-1, 4-2 in the quarterfinals. So, in just about 18 hours, they racked up three wins, a feat not easily overlooked.
“Honestly, winning a tournament feels easier because of the adrenaline and excitement,” Swiatek noted. “I wouldn’t say I felt exhausted, but I could definitely sense yesterday’s match in my body. Finals have a different kind of tension, and after the match, all those emotions hit you.”
Ruud, reflecting on the rigorous schedule, admitted to feeling a bit “worried” as Swiatek was pushing through Cincinnati. He thought their pairing might falter with such tight timelines. Little did Swiatek know, he was in contact with her team throughout her finals run.
“We had a plan, and if we did well, we knew something could come together. We discussed it fairly early on,” he stated.
“I shouldn’t have mentioned that, should I? Sorry,” Swiatek interjected with a smile.
Ruud continued, “At the end of the day, it’s her determination. She opted to be here, having just slept in a hotel before this. It’s impressive how she was stretching and warming up by 10 AM.”
The World No. 12 will align with Swiatek’s approach for their semifinal round, as he gears up to face Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, aiming for that $1 million prize pot.
