From crying to solving problems: World No.1 Iga Swiatek reveals transformative bathroom break
World number one Iga Swiatek’s transformation has been remarkable this season. From clinching her second French Open title to having a record 37-match winning streak, the Polish player is unstoppable.
The 21-year-old’s dominant run has taken her into her maiden US Open final and a second Grand Slam final this season after she overcame an early scare by 6th seed Aryna Sabalenka in a three-setter. Swiatek came from behind, found her momentum and ousted Sabalenka 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka challenged Swiatek and applied enough pressure on the top seeded to take the opening set. Swiatek then immediately rushed for a bathroom break and what came after that was an unbelievable turn around.
“I tried to use that time to really try to think about what to change, because I remember earlier when I was younger, all I did in the bathroom between sets when I lost was cry. This time I can actually think about what to change and actually problem-solve,” Swiatek said in the on-court interview.
Swiatek broke Sabalenka to love to start the second set. The top seeded player went onto secure eight straight points before Sabalenka threatened to end Swiatek’s campaign. However, the No.1 produced a solid service game before closing the second set in her favour 6-1.
With all the momentum for the deciding set, Swiatek held a serve before producing some brilliant winners. The third set kept on swinging between Swiatek and Sabalenka before world number one Swiatek finally prevailed.
Swiatek will play 5th seed Ons Jabeur in the final showdown at Flushing Meadows on September 10. The Polish player, who is 2-2 with Jabeur in their meetings so far, said: “It’s always tough and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be physical.
“She has such good hands, she is solid on the baseline and when she’s going in so I have to be careful. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Right now, I’m just going to enjoy being in the final.”