Iga Swiatek might glide across on clay like an invincible superhero, but hardcourts have never been her partner. After multiple setbacks on this particular surface this season, a Hall of Famer decodes the cracks in her matches. While the former pro offers an interesting suggestion to Swiatek, the fraternity is left with questions: Is it Swiatek’s new strategy? or just the pressure of being the world number 1?

Eurosport commentator Mats Wilander made an interesting remark about the 2024 US Open quarterfinalist. In an interview with a Polish newspaper, this Hall of Famer offered his view about why Swiatek is not doing her best on hard surfaces. The WTA number 1 lost in the American Slam to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals. Her performance on hardcourts has not been pleasant this year.

Wilander said he felt Swiatek was taking measures to make a wonder on hard courts. This former Swedish player also revealed a name he thought Swiatek might be interested in chasing. “On the fast hard courts, Iga is trying unnecessarily to catch up with the flat-hitting players in terms of speed. She shouldn’t be chasing Sabalenka, because playing this way, she wins points quickly, but also misses quickly, makes mistakes,” said Wilander.

He also remarked bluntly about the Polish player’s possibility of winning tournaments on hard courts. Swiatek played five hard-court tournaments and her performance was average. She lost the Australian Open to Linda Noskova in the third round, the Dubai Tennis Championship to Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals, Miami Open to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Round of 16 this season. Her performance offers leverage to Wilander’s opinion about the Polish.

While the former Swiss tennis player gave almost zero hope about Swiatek’s possibility of a hard-court win, he also pointed out Swiatek’s strength. “I think she should not look for big changes, but base her game on clay, on the forehand with topspin,” Wilander said.

While according to Mats Wilander, Swiatek is chasing Sabalenka’s speed, the latter revealed manifesting a good performance, not her victory over the Polish. Sabalenka lost the Madrid Open and Italian Open, both in finals, to the WTA number one. Before the 2024 Roland Garros, Sabalenka talked about her mindset while playing against Swiatek.

Aryna Sabalenka doesn’t obsess “over beating” Iga Swiatek

When two brilliant top-ranked players face off against each other, they create a moment that can hardly be explained through words. Sabalenka and Swiatek played against each other twelve times among as the Polish has won eight of their contests.

Before she could meet her competitive opponent again in Paris, Sabalenka revealed, “If I have one thing clear, it is that I cannot obsess over beating Iga, but rather I must focus on myself and everything I must do to be a better tennis player,” said Sabalenka. Her words echoed her determination to improve her playstyle and become indomitable on any surface.

Swiatek and Sabalenka both have proven their worth in the sport. While they are not particularly friends, their words for each other showcase their admiration for each other’s skills. Mats Wilander’s opinion might have some grounds but it is ultimately his perception. Hard courts might not be Swiatek’s forte, who knows if she conquers her shortcomings and does wonder on hard surfaces.