"Not true at all" - Iga Swiatek's team member shuts down claims of 'massive fall off' in Pole's athleticism & defensive skills since US Open 2022 win
Iga Swiatek has come under scrutiny for the perceived decline in her athleticism since her triumph at the 2022 US Open. However, Maciej Ryszczuk, the World No. 1's fitness trainer and strength and conditioning coach, has dismissed these claims.
Swiatek's recent campaign at the 2024 Cincinnati Open ended in the semifinals, with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. The Pole appeared far from her dominant best at the WTA 1000 event, dropping a set to Varvara Gracheva in her opening match and narrowly escaping against Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.
With the US Open fast approaching, a clip from the Pole's clash against Jule Niemeier during her title-winning run at the 2022 edition of the New York Major circulated on social media. The clip also caught the attention of tennis writer Tom Jones, who felt there was a decline in Iga Swiatek's athleticism.
Jones expressed his belief that the five-time Grand Slam champion's defensive skills have "fallen off massively" due to a reduction in her pace. Jones also speculated that the 23-year-old might be prioritizing strength over speed.
"It’s crazy to look back on this US Open in particular and see how much more athletic she was compared to now. Her defence has fallen off massively because she’s not got that same burst of speed she does here. Unsure why she’s lost it, maybe just strength>speed now or that injury?" Jones posted.
However, Iga Swiatek's fitness coach Maciej Ryszczuk refuted Tom Jones' claims, asserting that they had no basis in reality.
"That's actually not true at all," Ryszczuk responded.
"There’s still a lot to improve with Iga Swiatek... I want her faster, with more power" - Fitness coach Maciej Ryszczuk
Iga Swiatek's fitness coach Maciej Ryszczuk's blunt response to Tom Jones is unsurprising, as he has been candid about his efforts to help improve the Pole's speed while striking the right balance with her power.
Speaking to Tennis Majors after Swiatek's triumph at the 2024 French Open, Ryszczuk emphasized that the coaching team's "main goal" was to ensure that the World No. 1 maintained her high level of consistency year after year.
"Yes, there’s still a lot to improve with Iga, but there’s also the need to see that there is no need to crush it. More strength is maybe not necessary. I want her faster, with more power, but if we build more strength, it may not improve her tennis. I need to be careful," he said.
"The main goal is to stay at this intensity with the same consistency. It’s maybe less about improving than about staying at the same level year after year," he added.
Iga Swiatek will be on the hunt for her sixth Grand Slam title at the 2024 US Open, aiming to emulate her triumphant run in 2022. The Pole will also look to overcome the disappointment of her title defense last year, where she lost to Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round.