Berlin 16 August : The world’s number one Iga Swiatek said she is as if she’s her “kid of kindergarten” about the retirement of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.Swiatek is in Cincinnati for this week’s Western&Southern Open as she tunes up in advance of the next month’s US Open at Flushing Meadows which is where she is expected to be in as the favourite.The Pole will be facing Sloane Stephens in the second round in Cincinnati in the second round, while Williams will face Emma Raducanu in an eye-catching first-round match on Tuesday in the opposite side of the draw.
Swiatek and Williams have never met in the WTA Tour and the 21-year-old who holds two French Open titles to her name, has revealed she has not had a conversation with the 40-year-old, who will end her professional career at the US Open.
“I struggle with making eye contact with Serena,” Swiatek stated.
“It’s difficult due to the fact that she always had a lot of people in her life, and I’m quite shy, and when I glance at her, I kind of overlook the fact that I’m the world’s number one. “I feel like I’m that child from kindergarten, just watching her.So it’s difficult.”When asked about playing against Williams, Swiatek added: “I would like observe how it would be for her to be on the other side of the net.”
If Swiatek wins in Cincinnati, she will become the first player since Williams in 2013 to win seven titles prior to the US Open.
Swiatek has a 49-6 record in 2022 including her victory at Roland Garros as she made it to the Australian Open semi-finals.
inj
