"There is a target on my back" - Iga Swiatek opens up about added pressure ahead of Indian Wells 2023 title defense

Defending Indian Wells champion Iga Swiatek believes that the high expectations from fans and critics add to the pressure when she competes in the tournament this year.

Swiatek defeated Maria Sakkari in the final to bag the trophy at Indian Wells last year. Things have changed a lot for the Pole ever since. She went from being a top-10 player to being ranked the World No. 1 and considered one of the most dominant players on the WTA tour.

During a conversation with the media ahead of the 2023 Indian Wells Open, Swiatek noted her critics' reactions to her loss to Barbora Krejcikova in the Dubai Tennis Championships final.

"I lost in the final and people were surprised – not happy with the performance – and just critical," she said.

The same result would have made her happy a year ago, the Pole opined.

"It made me think that last year, before this huge streak and before winning all these tournaments, I would have been so happy with the result," Swiatek expressed.

With such high expectations on her shoulder, Swiatek knows that, compared to last year, there's added pressure on her heading into the Indian Wells this year.

"Because of these comments right now, I felt like ooh, that’s not enough. I feel like there is a little bit of a target on my back, which I didn’t feel last year. So it’s a different situation and I have to adjust to that," stated the 21-year-old.

Swiatek also stated that she is trying her best to brush aside the pressure and focus on her game.

"I’m trying not to read those kinds of things because I’m happy with the work I’ve put in and how I played in Doha and Dubai. There is more pressure and expectation but I’m trying to deal with that the best way possible, and I think I’m doing good," she said.

Iga Swiatek unveils her champion's mural ahead of Indian Wells 2023

Iga Swiatek recently unveiled her champion's mural in California ahead of her title defense at the 2023 Indian Wells.

The revealing of the champion's mural is a long-followed tradition at Indian Wells. On Wednesday (March 8), Swiatek became part of the custom for the first time as she displayed her mural in front of a joyful crowd.

3....2....1GA 🖼

#TennisParadise | @iga_swiatek https://t.co/yx79uwys1Z

Iga Swiatek, the top seed, has received a first-round bye at the 2023 Indian Wells.