On Monday, for the first time after 75 weeks, Iga Swiatek will not be the No.1 women’s tennis player. Following her loss to Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round of the US Open, the Pole journaled her feelings and shared her view of the situation on social media.
First of all, the 2022 US Open champion Swiatek doesn’t appreciate the term “defense” that is regularly being used to describe players trying to maintain their ranking position or win back-to-back titles at tournaments:
For me, sport is a cycle of constant changes exactly like in everyday life, we can either win or lose — that’s it, it’s so simple. New season, next tournament, new opportunities to GAIN, ACHIEVE, not defend something.
Despite the evident challenge for Swiatek in reconciling with unmet expectations, the 22-year-old remains steadfast in her commitment to prioritize her work ethic, knowing that it will ultimately pay off:
During this year’s US Swing I could win and achieve more, that’s for sure. I know some of you expected more, many of you expected “defending” the No.1 ranking, the title. But I stick to my mindset: When I work hard, I’m developing myself and doing my job, I will create many more chances to WIN, to ACHIEVE my goals and not to defend. The way to do it is to constantly focus on my high standards in what I do and learn from the best in this sport and from my team.
Pumping herself up, the four-time Grand Slam champion accompanied her lengthy statement on social media with hashtags “keep going” and “getting started.”
Even though this loss of the No.1 ranking is viewed as a failure, it is inherently not. Everything in life has to come to an end and this “fall” is just a part of Swiatek’s successful career that has only just begun.
didnt even congratulate Aryna? ok….