World number one Iga Swiatek has discussed her 2022 season revealing that her “world has changed” and that it has “been a crazy few months.”
The 20-year-old, who won two titles in 2021, has already doubled that haul in 2022 as she has gone 29 consecutive matches unbeaten this year so far.
Her last defeat on tour came all the way back on the 16th February in Dubai as she lost in the last 16 to Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
Swiatek has won her past five tournaments including four out of the five WTA 1000 events in 2022 – most recently at last week’s Rome Open where she defended her title.
In March, she became only the fourth player in WTA history to be victorious at both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season and was also named as world number one for the first time following Ash Barty’s shock retirement.
Reflecting on her whirlwind season, Iga Swiatek claimed that her “world has changed drastically” since she became world number one and went on her unbeaten run.
In a column for the BBC, Iga Swiatek stated, “Since my last column at the Australian Open, following a semi-final defeat in Melbourne, the world has changed dramatically for me. It’s been a crazy few months.
“After that Grand Slam, I went on to win titles in Doha and Indian Wells – then became world number one after Ashleigh Barty’s shock retirement. A few days later I won the Miami Open and have also won in Stuttgart and Rome.
“I feel like winning all these tournaments is overreaching the goals I set at the start of the year. Roland Garros – like all the Grand Slams – is a totally different vibe.
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“Obviously my position has changed and I am seen as the person to beat. Everyone wants to try and beat the world number one.
“The changes have been big since I became world number one. The biggest has been the increased attention away from the court.
“I have been spending more time speaking to journalists and doing interviews – which I really enjoy doing – but it’s something I have to learn how deal with.
“I always knew it would be part of the job. I wanted to prepare for it and be ready for it. The most important thing is ensuring I have enough time to rest and be ready for the tournaments mentally.
“In terms of attention from fans, I was really surprised there have been more of them approaching me – and they have been more excited – since I became world number one compared with when I won Roland Garros.
“In Poland, I am recognised all the time and it is hard to find a place where I am not recognised. So when I am meeting friends I am usually doing it at my house or their house, which is OK for me.
“But when I’m in other countries I feel I can be more incognito and it’s good.
