"I wouldn't for sure find the courage to do that" - Iga Swiatek opens up on being approached by Serena Williams before her US Open 3R win
Iga Swiatek was inspired by American tennis legend Serena Williams to emerge victorious in her third-round contest at the 2024 US Open. The Pole met with the 23-time Grand Slam champion in the locker room before her match on August 31.
Iga Swiatek, the top seed, faced 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round of the 2024 US Open. The World No. 1 went all guns blazing against the Russian veteran and faced zero breakpoints on her serve to win the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. With this victory, Swiatek reached the fourth round of the US Open for the fourth year in a row.
Before the match, the Pole met with Serena Williams in the locker room. Williams, a six-time US Open champion, made an appearance at the 2024 US Open while watching compatriot Tommy Paul's third-round win. Williams was also seen conversing with Swiatek ahead of her match against Pavlyuchenkova, and the latter was asked about the interaction during her post-match press conference.
Swiatek was star-struck to meet Williams and pleased that the American legend took out time to interact with players on the tour even after her retirement.
“It was really nice to see her. She has a lot of positive energy. It is nice that she came on-site and she was chatting with the players because for me, even though we met before and for like a couple of years we have been on the same side and on the tours together, she is still like star-striking me," the Pole said.
Swiatek was grateful that Williams sought her out and expressed gratitude towards the 42-year-old for giving her a "positive kick" for her match.
“It was nice that she approached me, because I wouldn’t for sure find the courage to do that if it was the other way. Yeah, she is really nice and really positive. I’m happy that she is following tennis and like my game because she told me she is cheering for me. It’s always nice to hear that from somebody like Serena,” she continued.
“She approached me, like, at 4:00, you know, today. It was before my warm-up. I would say it more inspired me and it give me, like, a positive kick, so it was nice.”
Iga Swiatek to face Liudmila Samsonova in 4R at US Open 2024
Iga Swiatek's next opponent at the 2024 US Open will be Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth round on September 2. Samsonova, the 16th seed, reached the fourth round of the US Open for the second time in her career after wins over Wang Qiang, Marie Bouzkova, and Ashlyn Krueger.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek made it into the fourth round of the year's last Grand Slam for the second year in a row. The 2022 US Open champion lost to Jelena Ostapenko last year and has so far defeated Kamilla Rakhimova, Ena Shibahara, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova this year.
Iga Swiatek and Liudmila Samsonova have faced each other thrice on the WTA Tour, with the former winning all three contests. Their most recent meeting on the court came at the 2023 China Open, where Swiatek defeated Samsonova in the title contest.