Former tennis star Chris Evert believes that the recent loss of World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the United Cup gives the game a much-needed balance. In her first tournament of the season, Swiatek got off to a rocky start when she lost to Jessica Pegula in the inaugural edition. Swiatek could not take the defeat well and burst into tears on the court.
For the last couple of years, 21-year-old Iga Swiatek has had an unmatched record. Swiatek created a 37-match winning streak last season, the longest on the WTA Tour in the twenty-first century, putting her far ahead of her competitors in the game. 2023 was expected to be no different for the three-time Grand Slam champion.
And anytime a No. 1 player loses, it gives the competition hope,” said Evert. The 68-year-old believes the loss also gives Swiatek a chance to reflect and work to regain confidence. “I think what really matters is how Iga feels more so than how her opponents feel. Because Iga’s got to get back on top. And she’s got to get back that mentality and confidence,” she elaborated.
“If she has that confidence that’s bad luck for the field. Because when she’s confident, and she’s aggressive, she’s really, really tough to beat,” Evert continued.
At the same time, the loss gives other players a chance to see the vulnerable side of the World No. 1 Evert acknowledges. ”But in saying that, yes, it works the other way too, the other players can see that she’s human and that she isn’t perfect. She’s not dominant, she will have off days. And they will have hope when they walk on the court with Iga,” Evert further explained.
