Whether a professional tennis player or someone sitting in the audience watching them play, music plays an important role in everybody’s life. It impacts one’s life in more ways than imaginable and the same was revealed by Iga Swiatek. She revealed how music helped her through her tough time as a teenager.
Swiatek is a proud ‘Swifty’ and has never been shy of the fact. She revealed her love for the singer in an interview during the Roland Garros after she defeated Claire Liu in the second in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. The world no. 1 had recently turned 22 and after winning the match she went ahead to sign the camera and quoted a lyric from the song ’22’, “I’m feeling 22! #Swiftie.”
I don’t know about you, but @iga_swiatek is feeling 22 🎶#RolandGarros | @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/UMC4naF6LC
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2023
However, Swiatek’s love for Swift has deeper origins. Swiatek claimed that Swift’s appeal was due to more than just her songs. The Polish tennis player also learned English thanks to Swift’s music.
Iga revealed how Swift has been more than just an idol for her, the singer also played companion to Iga when she was alone during her teen years. “When I was a teenager, when I listened to her, I didn’t feel alone,” said Swiatek. Swiatek also picked up on some English because of listening to her songs which helped her in the longer run. Thus her love for the American chartbuster goes above and beyond.
Iga Swiatek continues her reign in the no. 1 spot
Swiatek has locked up her 72nd career week at the top spot for the upcoming week, surpassing Wozniacki for the solo 10th-most weeks at the top spot in WTA rankings history. After defeating Karolina Muchova in a match that lasted well over 9 hours, Swiatek confirms her place at the top. Swiatek remain world no. 1 in the WTA Rankings.
That win secures #1 after Canada for Iga, on Monday she will have the most Weeks for active players:
🇵🇱 Swiatek 72 Weeks
🇩🇰 Wozniacki 71 Weeks
🇷🇴 Halep 64 Weeks
🇧🇾 Azarenka 51 Weeks
🇩🇪 Kerber 34 Weeks
🇯🇵 Osaka 25 Weeks
🇺🇲 Venus 11 Weeks
🇨🇿 Pliskova 8 Weeks
🇪🇸 Muguruza 4 Weeks pic.twitter.com/TKiYTjsYxv— Tennis Updates (@TennisUpdates23) August 11, 2023
The official match time was two hours and 47 minutes, but the match lasted more than nine hours due to two lengthy rain breaks. Swiatek dominated the first set before Muchova fought back in the second set, but the Pole ultimately prevailed, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
Test passed ✍🏻@iga_swiatek stays another week at No. 1 defeating Muchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. #NBO23 pic.twitter.com/rQ3hIJz06V
— wta (@WTA) August 11, 2023
Swiatek’s performance varied throughout the match, although she controlled the opening set by breaking the tie in games four and six. After breaking in game four of the second set, Muchova came back hard, but the Pole was able to regain serve three games later. Both, though, found it difficult to hold serve, and additional three breaks ensued the same.
But as the game went on, the rain started to fall heavily, forcing the players to take a long break. As soon as they started playing again, Swiatek grabbed control. She broke in the first game of the third set and never lost the lead. Swiatek prevailed in a replay of this year’s Roland Garros final, which also went the distance. Their third-round matchup at the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal featured a similar atmosphere.