Iga Świątek’s quest for the career Grand Slam goes on, having soared into the Australian Open third round.
It has been an efficient few days for the former world number one, who does seem to be improving with each match she plays in Melbourne.
There seems to be a newfound element of freedom to her game, particularly in this most recent second-round triumph, that is helping her excel at an event where she has yet to reach the final in her career.
And, for that, she took time to thank Novak Djokovic, crediting him in her on-court interview for inspiring her.
Iga Swiatek reacts to reaching the Australian Open third round
Speaking immediately after her latest win over Marie Bouzková, Iga Swiatek first noted: “Yeah, honestly, it felt great playing today. I felt more free than in my first round, so I really wanted to go for it, and for sure, you know, the conditions also weren’t easy.
“I don’t know if you guys feel that, but on the court it’s super windy, so I needed to adjust to that, and I’m really happy with the performance for sure.”
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Then asked if she is ever satisfied after a routine win like this one, the six-time Grand Slam champion admitted: “Yeah, I mean, mostly, yeah, that’s true that, you know,… Honestly, okay, that’s not gonna sound like I’m humble, but, like, after winning so much, it’s hard to appreciate just one match, you know.
“I’m usually kind of happy after I finish the whole tournament, you know, if I won. If not, then I’m a bit less happy, but for sure I got to learn to appreciate every single match and not take anything for granted, and, you know, play to win, not to lose. It was a good day today, and I felt good.”
This was where Swiatek used her opportunity to credit Djokovic, citing him as a reason for her recent change in mindset: “Well, I feel like my approach, you know, to competition has been naturally, always good, but I would say the circumstances changed a little bit, you know, it became more routine to play these matches.
“I remember, you know, 2022, after quarterfinals, my racket went up, I was like, I don’t know, celebrating as I would now if I had won a Grand Slam.
“So I think the perspective changes, but you always need to remind yourself to come back to, yeah, honestly enjoying playing, and sometimes it’s not easy with so many matches per year, you’re gonna have bad days, or you’re gonna be judged, but yeah, it’s crucial to come back to that.
“Maybe it’s that easy, but I feel this is, you know, why, I don’t know, for example, Novak can play for so long.
“You know, he achieved everything, but he still enjoys, you know, winning, and this feeling, so it’s good to look at people like that and find some inspiration, for sure.”
Swiatek also spoke about Alexandra Eala recently too, and her rapid rise in popularity over the last year.
Iga Swiatek’s recent performances at the Australian Open
It’s incredible to think that, despite being so young, this marks just Swiatek’s eighth appearance in the Australian Open main draw.
However, it remains the one major that eludes her.
Twice she has reached the semi-finals, including last year, but has been unable to take that next crucial step.
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Since winning Wimbledon in 2025, though, the importance of this particular Grand Slam has increased massively, with it being the last one she needs to complete her collection.
She underperformed in 2024 and 2023, losing in the third and fourth rounds respectively.
However, with the way Swiatek has started this Australian Open campaign, she seems poised to make a real run for the title once again.
