Iga Swiatek: After the title in Madrid I don't expect to be a newcomer in Rome

Iga Swiatek is back in form as the world's best woman on clay after her first title at the Masters in Madrid on Saturday. The world number one now has her sights set on the Rome Masters, a tournament she has already won twice. But she admits she won't go into work 100% fresh, although she's not worried.

“I don’t expect to be fresh,” Swiatek told the Rome press on Tuesday. “Indeed, just like when I arrived in Madrid, I was more tired at the beginning of the tournament after Stuttgart than actually before the final. It really depends on how the matches look. I know that if I'm going to stay longer in a tournament, I might have a few days off where I don't even practice. We're trying to plan this differently than we have in past seasons because we're concerned.

“These tournaments are longer and there are no days off before them, so sometimes you have to play them on time. There’s no point in me focusing on that because I want to win the first matches and we’ll see what happens after that.”

As the tournament's betting favorite and top seed, Swiatek has an excellent draw in Rome with little opposition until potentially facing Beatrice Haddad Maia in the quarter-finals or Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.

“It’s just crazy to be in Madrid and immediately after the final to pack your things and come here,” Swiatek said.

“I'm glad to be here because I love this place. I already trained this morning. It's fun. Of course, it is difficult to adapt. But it’s nice to have these problems.”

Swiatek, back-to-back Rome winner in 2021 and 2022, has won 14 of her last 15 matches in the city, losing only to Elena Rybakina, who retired in the quarterfinals last year.

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