Serena Williams' ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes Iga Swiatek is 'back' after her performance at Qatar Open 2023
After a forgetful start to the new season, Iga Swiatek seems to be back on track after winning the 2023 Qatar Open. French tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou was particularly impressed with the way the World No. 1 dominated the other players at the WTA 500 event.
In the United Cup, the Pole suffered a humiliating straight-sets defeat (6-2, 6-2) against America's Jessica Pegula. She then looked comfortable during the 2023 Australian Open, but once again lost in straight sets to 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.
Swiatek competed in Doha earlier this month and wreaked havoc, dropping only five games en route to her 12th title. She defeated Danielle Collins 6-0, 6-1, repeated the score against Veronika Kudermetova, and beat Pegula 6-3, 6-0 in the final.
Mouratoglou recently took to social media to express his delight at the 21-year-old's stellar performance, saying that she fought for every point as if her life depended on it.
"I think the statement of Iga was huge. We saw that she didn't want to lose any single game in all of her matches, fighting for every point like her life would depend on it," Mouratoglou said. "It's funny because this very start of the season was not good. I mean, it was quite obvious that she was more nervous. It was more difficult for her to deal with the pressure simply, and the results were disappointing for someone like her."
Serena Williams' former coach added that we saw the best version of the Pole in Qatar and declared that she was back.
"But the way she played in Doha was really incredible, and I think she really made a point. And she said, 'Guys, I'm back and I'm back at my best level'. I mean the win is one thing, but the scores against all those good players are speaking so loud. We saw the best Iga, the Iga that is a killer," he added.
I did not peak at Qatar Open 2023: Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek won the 2023 Qatar Open after losing only five games, creating a new record for the fewest games conceded en route to a WTA title, previously held by Chris Evert (seven games lost at the Swiss Open Women's Tennis Tournament in 1981).
However, the World No. 1 believes that she is yet to peak and is looking forward to the clay season.
"I don't think I peaked because there are many pretty nice tournaments that I like, like Rome, Roland Garros, basically the whole clay season. I wouldn't say that I peaked. I just got my level up comparing to Australia, that's all," Iga Swiatek said.
After receiving a bye in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, top seed Swiatek will face 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in the second round on February 21.