Sydney, 12 January (H.S.): World number two Iga Swiatek dismissed concerns over back-to-back defeats on Monday, insisting she feels no anxiety despite losses just before the Australian Open 2026. The Polish star acknowledged her body feels super sore and fatigued but expressed confidence in full recovery ahead of the season's first Grand Slam.

Swiatek suffered a 6-3, 0-6, 3-6 defeat to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic in the United Cup final in Sydney on Sunday. This followed a 4-6, 2-6 semifinal loss to Coco Gauff. Against Bencic, Swiatek appeared completely out of rhythm, dropping seven consecutive games—including a rare love set—and vented frustration by smashing her racket, with tears visible in her eyes.

Despite her struggles, Poland clinched the team event title 2-1 as Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski secured the decisive mixed doubles match. In an official statement post-final, Swiatek remarked, Everything is fine. The body is just very tired. It's the first tournament of the year, so it affects the body differently. I had a similar experience last year. I'll rest for a few days and focus on recovery.

Swiatek offered candid insights on team events, stating, I like these team tournaments, but they take a lot of energy. In the future, I need to learn to balance them better. She admitted lacking physical presence in the second set against Bencic, noting, My intensity dropped. There was no sharpness in movement or footwork. Physically, I wasn't as precise.

Swiatek committed 36 unforced errors compared to Bencic's 10.With the Australian Open starting Sunday at Melbourne Park, Swiatek has limited time to regroup. She affirmed, We'll work on the aspects that didn't go right this week. I also need time for recovery. Tennis is like that—you adapt to the circumstances.

Notably, the Australian Open remains the only Grand Slam Swiatek has yet to win, having reached the semifinals twice but failing to advance to the final; in 2025, she lost there to Madison Keys, who went on to claim the title.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar