The Japan Times - Dethroned clay queen Swiatek 'willing to fight'

Swiatek first won the clay-court Grand Slam in 2020 and then took three straight from 2022-2024.

Last year she flipped the script, losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the Paris last four before blasting to a first Wimbledon title.

The third-seeded Pole, who turns 25 on the middle Sunday of the tournament, says that she will marshall all her Roland Garros memories when she opens her campaign. She faces Australian Emerson Jones on Monday.

"I remember all these tournaments that I played here if I won or not. It all kind of comes up as one memory. I don't particularly think on last year," she said. "Doesn't really matter."

She said it makes little difference that she will not be taking the court as the world number one and the undisputed queen of clay.

All victories might appear the same, she said, but when she looks back at her Roland Garros triumphs each is distinct.

"I wouldn't split these situations like this: when I was dominating or not dominating, because even when I was dominating, I felt sometimes good, sometimes really anxious, sometimes I didn't care and I just went for it.

"For example, '23... I had a good tournament here and I won. I never felt that anxious.

"In 2024, every day I just enjoyed. I really didn't feel any kind of pressure from the outside. Maybe I was really focused just on myself. I was really in the zone, in my own bubble, and I went for it."

Last year, Swiatek came into Paris following a second-round exit in Rome she described as a "cold, cold shower".

"I felt like I needed to really work more in a tennis way than mental on these tournaments, but I felt a lot of pressure, a lot," she said.

"Everybody was just looking at my clay court results and judging."

This year she arrives buoyed by Rome, where she reached the semi-finals, showing flashes of her best form, before losing in three sets to Elina Svitolina.

Last year, she said, "I felt terrible on the court in Rome, so for sure, this year, after a couple of good matches, there is (a) more positive vibe".

"I also had the chance to play under pressure, to play short matches. I get the vibe of the matches. I'm in the match rhythm, which is great, comparing to last year. But still, this is a totally different tournament with different conditions right now, especially with the heat," Swiatek added.

"You need to be humble and start knowing that you're willing to fight for every match."

T.Sasaki--JT