Iga Swiatek brings increased clarity with Australian Open run

The good news for Iga Swiatek is that, after two straight early exits in Melbourne, she returned to the Australian Open semis for the first time since 2022. This year, in her first five matches, Swiatek was exceptionally dominant, dropping just 14 games in ten sets. As Emma Navarro said after losing 6-1, 6-2 to Swiatek in an 89-minute quarterfinal, “I think something she does really well is she's really quick, and she does everything with 100 percent conviction and intensity.”

Said Swiatek that day, “These tournaments are long. Even if you start amazing, like, something can happen during the two weeks. I wouldn't say something feels super different. Probably, yeah, I feel like I'm relaxed and just focused on the right things.” Amid last year’s frustrating losses at Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as her recent drug suspension, it was refreshing to see Swiatek playing with renewed focus and precision.

But then came the bad news. One point away from reaching her first Australian Open final, Swiatek was overcome by an inspired Keys in one of the best matches of the tournament, losing 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) in two hours and 38 minutes. “I felt like I had my chance,” said Swiatek. “I don't know what's going to happen in the future. Maybe I'll have more chances. I think I'm pretty spoiled in a way that I could always use these chances. When I had an opportunity to win, I always kind of win. Obviously it's disappointing when it doesn't happen, but this is sport, so it's not always going to go my way.”

Both on and off the court, Swiatek’s 2024 was often mysterious, vague, ambiguous (such as the chronology of events surrounding the suspension). The thinking here is that she’s in excellent shape to step confidently forward as ’25 continues.