In a surprising upset at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, top-seeded Iga Swiatek suffered a quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Elina Svitolina. Despite the loss, Swiatek graciously expressed her support for Svitolina’s quest to secure her first-ever Grand Slam title. Svitolina’s impressive victory over the World No. 1 further solidified her reputation as a formidable competitor on the tennis circuit.
Svitolina’s path to the quarterfinals was marked by exceptional performances against former Grand Slam champions. She began her campaign by defeating Venus Williams in the opening round, followed by victories over Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka in the subsequent rounds. Her remarkable run has captivated fans and fellow players, earning her admiration and respect.
During the post-match press conference, Swiatek commended Svitolina’s career and acknowledged the significance of winning a Grand Slam title, particularly as Svitolina has made an inspiring comeback after embracing motherhood. Swiatek expressed her wholehearted support for Svitolina’s aspirations and highlighted her compatriot’s strong desire to clinch a major championship.
While disappointed with the loss, Swiatek is hoping Svitolina goes all the way – something that she told the Ukrainian during the post-match handshake.
“I think overall, looking at her career, having Grand Slam title would be pretty amazing for her. She’s coming back after becoming a mother,” the 22-year-old said.
“I think, yeah, I’ll root for her, especially because we like each other as people. I told her on the net that I hope she win this tournament. You know how it is in tennis: it’s tough to win a Grand Slam. I know that for sure she wants it really bad. So I will be rooting for her,” she added.
Iga Swiatek‘s endorsement of Svitolina’s ambitions stems from their personal connection and mutual fondness for each other. Swiatek disclosed that she conveyed her hopes for Svitolina’s success directly to her on the court, recognizing the arduous nature of winning a Grand Slam tournament. Swiatek understands the challenges involved and extended her support to Svitolina’s pursuit of glory.
Iga Swiatek speaks highly of Svitolina’s style of play
In addition to her support, Swiatek praised Svitolina’s remarkable performance in their quarterfinal match. She noted Svitolina’s fearless and agile style of play, emphasizing her opponent’s ability to seize opportunities and play with increased freedom. Swiatek also recalled their practice sessions in Australia, where she observed Svitolina’s evolving playing style and the incorporation of faster shots. Swiatek attributed Svitolina’s success to her courage and determination, traits necessary to triumph in crucial matches.
“She played with more freedom and more guts. Sometimes she really just let go of her hand and she played really, really fast,” Swiatek analyzed.
“We practiced (together) in Australia. I didn’t remember that she was changing rhythm so much in terms of playing these faster shots sometimes. I get why she’s doing that. It makes sense. You have to have guts if you want to win these matches,” she added.
Svitolina’s quarterfinal triumph propels her to the Wimbledon semifinals, where she will face Marketa Vondrousova on Centre Court. This marks Svitolina’s second appearance at this stage of the tournament, demonstrating her exceptional skill and resilience on grass courts.
