Iga Świątek has been in a slump lately. After winning the French Open, she has lost four matches, which is unusual for her. She was eliminated early at Wimbledon, lost in the semifinals of the Olympics in Paris, and also at the Cincinnati tournament. She aimed to redeem herself at the US Open, where she had been knocked out in the fourth round last year. Although she made it further this year, she was still eliminated in the quarterfinals by Jessica Pegula.
John McEnroe points out the reason for Świątek’s loss: "She plays too powerfully"
I probably didn't find the right solution because I wasn't able to put pressure with my serve. Plus, I wasn't consistent enough from the baseline to help myself. You can't win if you make so many mistakes, and I did. It's my fault
- the world No. 1 commented after her loss. Legendary tennis player John McEnroe responded to Świątek's disappointing result.
Many players who participated in the Olympics are now struggling. I think that could have had an impact on this match, especially since Jessica hasn't played much this season. Plus, her style naturally suits this surface
- he said in an interview with Super Express. He also revealed what might be the main issue affecting Świątek’s unstable form.
She doesn’t look lately like someone who’s won the French Open four times and is probably the best clay court player I’ve seen in the last 10-15 years. I think she’s neglecting her defensive game more and more and focusing too much on attacking. Sometimes, I think she should step back when things aren’t going her way, like they usually do on clay
- McEnroe noted.
In my opinion, she keeps trying to hit too hard, playing too powerfully, which is surprising for someone who prefers slower surfaces. I’m surprised she doesn’t want to or can’t make changes in her game. I think she's just being stubborn. If she focused more on her defensive game, it would be much harder for her opponents to beat her. But she’s still young, so she could still win on hard courts in the future
- he elaborated.
McEnroe shares a harsh truth about the Olympics in Paris: Painful words for Świątek
The 65-year-old explained why the Olympics in Paris had such a strong impact on some players.
It was like a curveball for anyone who played there, especially since they had to switch from clay to grass, then back to clay, and then immediately to hard courts. It was too much for the players trying to win medals. And I know how important winning a medal for Poland was for Iga
- he said. He advised caution to avoid overexerting her body.
I don’t know how many tournaments she will play now, but she surely feels the pressure from bonuses or sponsorship deals. At some point, she’ll need to stop and appreciate what she’s already accomplished. I think she should already realize she’s had an amazing career
- McEnroe concluded.
