Iga Swiatek is a four-time Grand Slam champion and the #1 female tennis player in the world. This week she levelled a significant number that was achieved by the returning Caroline Wozniacki. In addition, she is a winner of five WTA Masters 1000 events, as well as recently winning on home turf in Warsaw. It would be understandable if the Pole began to relax her workload fractionally after all she has achieved.
Swiatek’s unique new training method
Yet the three-time French Open winner works and attempts to innovate as much as she always has. Swiatek continues to try and find every method possible to give her an edge on her opponents. This has been proven by recent photos taken of the Pole while practicing in Montreal. Fans love taking any opportunity to watch the #1 in action on the practice courts before a big tournament. But many were left perplexed when photos showed Swiatek practicing with tape over her mouth while preparing for the event in Canada.
“It’s harder to breathe when you are only breathing through your nose and it is easier for my heart rate to go up… but I am not going to be able to explain it properly because I am not an expert.” – Iga Swiatek after practising with tape over her mouth????#tennis #igaswiatek pic.twitter.com/mztNXDpyM6
— Tennis365 (@tennis365com) August 7, 2023
Swiatek supporters will be fascinated to know the logic behind the decision to use the tape. Last year’s US Open champion provided some information when asked about it, but did not discuss it in much detail. She said the following in a part of her pre-tournament press conference: “It’s harder to breathe when you are only breathing through your nose, and it is easier for my heart rate to go up, and I think it has something to do with endurance.. but I am not going to be able to explain it properly because I am not an expert.”
Although Swiatek admits she is not an expert, it clearly is something she has discussed with experts. Only Swiatek will know if this particular method gives her an extra edge in Montreal when the tournament starts. Regardless it is a testament to the four-time Grand Slam champion’s willingness to constantly seek areas to improve further. That is why she has been #1 for 71 consecutive weeks.
When Does Swiatek Start in Montreal?
Swiatek received a bye in the first round of the Canadian Masters event. She is slated to start on Wednesday against either Zhu Lin or Karolina Pliskova. A rematch of this year’s French Open final is possible if Karolina Muchova wins her first and second-round contests. Maria Sakkari or Elina Svitolina could then await Swiatek in the quarterfinals depending on the results in their matches.
Main photo credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
