"Fact that Roger Federer is involved is a good recommendation for tennis players" - Iga Swiatek on her new partnership with On
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek recently elaborated on her decision to join forces with Roger Federer-backed brand On.
Swiatek announced on Monday (March 20) that she has entered into a partnership agreement with Swiss sportswear brand On, which is co-owned by Roger Federer. The company, which started by developing running shoes, also announced a partnership with 20-year-old player Ben Shelton.
Iga Swiatek discussed the partnership at a press conference following her withdrawal from the 2023 Miami Open. She stated that Federer's involvement in On is a good recommendation for tennis players in general.
"Well, from my side, I think just the fact that Roger is involved in that kind of company is just a good kind of recommendation for tennis players. I think also he influenced a lot on their side, so that's why they want to go further and they want to sign players," Swiatek said.
The Pole then stated that she is "really happy" to begin this new chapter with On. She claimed that they do not treat her like a machine to win, but rather as a person, adding that it is a "nice feeling" to have that kind of support.
"But I'm pretty happy that we could make it happen because I feel like we share the same values. They have, like, kind of a personal approach for the players. I feel like it's treating me first like a person but not mainly as a machine to win, you know? It's a nice feeling to have that kind of support. I'm really happy that I'm starting this new chapter," Iga Swiatek said.
"I'm going to lose points from this tournament, but for now it's not a horrible scenario" - Iga Swiatek on not defending her Miami Open title
Iga Swiatek then discussed losing points due to being unable to defend her Miami Open title due to injury. She claimed that it won't change her "approach" or "mentality" because she won't be able to maintain the brilliant form she had in 2022 indefinitely.
"Of course, I'm going to lose points from this tournament, but it doesn't change anything in terms of my approach and my mentality," Swiatek said.
"I was also aware at the beginning of the season that it's going to be hard for me to defend all these points because it's not, like, these streaks, winning all these tournaments is like, looking logically and statistically, it's not like it's going to happen every year," she added.
The 21-year-old added that missing one tournament due to injury isn't a "horrible scenario," and that what happens next depends on her recovery.
"I feel like I'm only right now missing one tournament. What's going to happen next, we'll see. Obviously it's going to depend of the recovery. Yeah, but for now it's not a horrible scenario. It happens," Iga Swiatek said.