World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has arrived to Rome after spending a couple of days training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. Swiatek, who kicked off her clay season by winning Stuttgart, was scheduled to play Madrid but she pulled out of the tournament due to a right shoulder injury.
“Today we arrived in Rome and we have a moment of break after intense trainings at the Rafa Nadal Academy. I’ve done a micro training block which will help me to keep in form until Roland Garros,” Swiatek said.
‘@iga_swiatek on recent days and preparations before @InteBNLdItalia for @TOKFM_NEWS:
“Today we arrived in Rome and we have a moment of break after intense trainings at @rnadalacademy. I’ve done a micro training block which will help me to keep in form until #RolandGarros — Iga Świątek News (@IgaSwiatek_News) May 4, 2022
Swiatek noted that the shoulder injury wasn’t something concerning as she suggested she just wanted to give herself a bit more time to recovered after outstanding two and a half months.
Swiatek confirmed that she is now back to 100 percent. “it was more strategic decision when it comes to planning. Recently, I haven’t had time for training or to recover properly. Now it’s all good with my health,” Swiatek explained.
💬 [withdrawing from #MMOpen] “it was more strategic decision when it comes to planning. Recently, I haven’t had time for training or to recover properly. Now it’s all good with my health” #SwiatekNews — Iga Świątek News (@IgaSwiatek_News) May 4, 2022
Swiatek set to defend her Rome title
Swiatek hasn’t lost a match in nearly three months as she has won her last 23 meetings.
Even though Swiatek was forced to skip Madrid due to an injury, she enters Rome as the top favorite for the title. Last year, Swiatek won her first Rome title after beating Karolina Pliskova 6-0 6-0 in the final. “I can start next tournaments with different perspective and it may help me play without expectations and just see how I feel on clay as I consider Rome as a first tournament on actual clay,” Swiatek said of her mindset in Rome.
💬 “I can start next tournaments with different perspective and it may help me play without expectations and just see how I feel on clay as I consider #Rome as a first tournament on actual clay” #SwiatekNews — Iga Świątek News (@IgaSwiatek_News) May 4, 2022
Last year, Swiatek was pretty dominant in Rome as she lost only one set en route to winning the title.
A 6-0 6-0 victory over Pliskova in the final was something absolutely impressive. “I’m not thinking too much about my last year performance as every tournament is a different story. We all start at the same point, tennis is unpredictable .
I will focus on my good tennis, good prep and things which I can control,” Swiatek added.
💬 “I’m not thinking too much about my last year performance as every tournament is a different story. We all start at the same point, tennis is unpredictable.
I will focus on my good tennis, good prep and things which I can control” #SwiatekNews — Iga Świątek News (@IgaSwiatek_News) May 4, 2022