Iga Swiatek Prepares to Defend French Open Title with Renewed Mindset
Iga Swiatek is gearing up for her title defense at Roland Garros, having taken the past fortnight to reflect on her recent performance and adjust her mindset following a disappointing early exit in Rome. The Polish star, a three-time French Open champion, believes a shift in attitude could be the key to continuing her dominance on the clay courts of Paris.
After suffering a third-round defeat in Rome, Swiatek spent significant time analyzing her game and mental approach. She recognized that her pursuit of perfection had begun to weigh her down, leading to excessive self-criticism. “After Rome, I had a lot of time to think about how I played and what my attitude was,” Swiatek explained. “I realized I needed to change something and maybe get a little bit more energetic before matches.”
The 23-year-old acknowledged that focusing too much on her mistakes had hindered her performance. “It’s not that complicated. Sometimes you just need to be more brave, go for it, and not overthink the errors,” she added.
Despite recent challenges, Swiatek expressed optimism, citing strong practice sessions and a sense of belonging at Roland Garros. She feels “just good” both on and off the clay, which bodes well for her upcoming matches.
When asked about the unpredictable spring weather in Paris, Swiatek remained unfazed. “I feel like I’m a good player in terms of adjusting,” she said. “It’s all about reacting quickly. No point to overthink it.”
With her renewed focus and determination, Swiatek is poised to make a strong run at a fourth consecutive French Open title, demonstrating that a positive mindset can be just as crucial as skill on the court.
