Iga Swiatek Approaches Cincinnati Open With Measured Mindset

Top-ranked tennis player Iga Swiatek anticipates a challenging return to hardcourt at the Cincinnati Open, treating the WTA 1000 event as a practice for the U.S. Open. After recent triumphs on clay and grass and an Olympic bronze, Swiatek aims to reset and focus on technique.

Top-ranked tennis player Iga Swiatek anticipates a challenging return to hardcourt at the Cincinnati Open. She plans to use the WTA 1000 event as a practice tournament ahead of the U.S. Open, aiming to manage expectations and focus on her gameplay.

Swiatek, who last played on hardcourt at the Miami Open in March, has had a successful clay season, claiming titles in Madrid, Rome, and the French Open. However, her Wimbledon campaign ended in a third-round exit, following which she secured an Olympic bronze on clay at Roland Garros.

Eyeing the U.S. Open from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8, Swiatek views Cincinnati as the ideal venue to reset and fine-tune her skills. "I felt after the Olympics I need to reset and also focus on getting my technique back together," she said, appreciating the balance of fan presence and relative calm in Cincinnati.

(With inputs from agencies.)