“Gonna Have Other Chances”: Iga Swiatek Doesn’t Have Big Aspirations for Tokyo Olympics

Teen Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek has opened up on whether her thoughts and focus have veered towards her maiden Olympics. In an Instagram chat with American Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, the 19-year-old said she isn’t thinking about Tokyo yet as the women’s calendar is tight and she doesn’t want to lose focus from the upcoming important events on Tour.

Currently ranked 16th in singles, the Pole lifted her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open last year, becoming the first-ever from her country to do so.

Iga Swiatek isn’t thinking about the Olympics just yet

Swiatek also became the youngest player since Monica Seles to lift the championship title at Roland-Garros.

She said that her immediate goals are to mount a successful title defense at the French Open and also aim for a glorious Wimbledon campaign.

“We have so many tournaments. We have French Open, Wimbledon and this schedule is so tight that I can’t really think about Tokyo right now,” Swiatek said.

She added that though she is excited to be participating in her first Olympics, she doesn’t want to carry a ton of expectations into the quadrennial showpiece.

Swiatek added that though she has played the Youth Olympics before, playing for one’s flag in the Summer Games makes for an unmatched experience. “It’s gonna be my first Olympics. I’ve played Youth Olympics, but this is always different. I don’t want to have any expectations because it’s just different tournaments, different vibes,” the 19-year-old said.

She also said that while she is hopeful of doing well in Tokyo, it’s a hard season, and “anything can happen.”

Swiatek will also have real shot at glory at the Games’ Paris edition in 2024

The Warsaw-born Swiatek, who also picked up her maiden Tour title in Adelaide this year, said that even if she fails to meet her own expectations in the Tokyo Games, she will have an opportunity to redeem herself at future editions of the Olympics.

She added that she is “looking forward” to her upcoming matches as they are going to be on clay.

“It’s my favorite surface, so even if Tokyo is not gonna be as good as I expect, I’m gonna have other chances,” Swiatek said, adding she “can play four Olympics, maximum” but she is “still pretty young.” The 2024 Games are scheduled to be held in Paris, and the 19-year-old will fancy her chances on clay.

Most recently, Swiatek fell to a stunning third-round defeat to unheralded Ana Konjuh of Croatia at Miami.

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