© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Caroline Wozniacki says commentating on Iga Swiatek’s matches over the years gave her a good chance to get a strong feel of how the Pole plays but acknowledges that watching tennis is a completely different thing than actually playing.
On Tuesday, former world No. 1 Wozniacki defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-2 to reach the Indian Wells quarterfinal. For 33-year-old Wozniacki – who was working in tennis broadcast before returning to tennis in August – this will be her first quarterfinal since she ended her three-and-half-year retirement.
When Wozniacki and 22-year-old Swiatek meet on Wednesday, it will be their second meeting. Previously, the two met in 2019, with Swiatek upsetting 1-6 6-3 6-4 in Toronto. At the time, Wozniacki was one of the best players in the world while Swiatek was just starting.
Ahead of facing Swiatek, Wozniacki was asked if there was something particular from their lone match and also to address her expectations for their Indian Wells match.
“No, that’s a long time ago, and I think it’s not really going to be the same match either,” Wozniacki said.
“I think I have obviously commentated some of her matches. I know how she’s playing. Obviously she’s playing good tennis, playing powerfully. I practiced with her as well a few times after I have come back, during the US Open as well. I know how she plays, but it’s one thing knowing how she plays and also playing against her in a full match.
“I know that I have to play my best tennis to compete against her, and that’s what I hope to do.”
Wozniacki on where she is now in her return
After making the US Open round-of-16 and starting her comeback in a strong way, Wozniacki didn’t make a good start to this season – she was beaten in the Auckland and San Diego first rounds while she lost in the Australian Open second round.
But in Indian Wells, the 2018 Australian Open champion is turning the page on her season as she has dropped just one set en route to making the quarterfinal.
Now that Wozniacki seems to be starting to find her game and rhythm, a reporter asked the Dane if she is at 75 percent of where she wants to be in six months.
“I don’t think that’s fair to give myself a percentage, because I always believe, even when I was No. 1 in the world, I could improve. I feel like I have improved, and every tournament every year, I feel like I’m improving,” Wozniacki said.
“Obviously there are times when you feel you’re playing better; other times you feel like you’re playing worse. Sometimes, you know, you get the results you want, and other times not, even besides how you feel you’re playing.
“You know, I feel like I played amazing in Australia, I felt in practice I was hitting the ball as clean as I’ve ever hit it, and it didn’t go my way. Sometimes you just need a little luck, as well.
“Here first round I didn’t feel like I played my best tennis, but, you know, you grind through and you kind of find a way through it. Every day you’re grinding just to get through matches.”
Wozniacki on dealing with social media negativity
Over the last couple of years, tennis players have been speaking out more than ever about the social media abuse they experience daily. In most cases, hateful and insulting messages come from angry bettors who lose money and then decide to contact the player through their social media channels.
Players, who have gotten increasingly fed up with that kind of messages, often screenshot those messages so everyone can see how all of that looks – those messages usually contain very offensive language, with some wishing a serious illness and death to players.
But Wozniacki is immune to social media negativity as she doesn’t spend much time there, and even when she takes some time to hit up social media, she doesn’t give any attention or focus to negativity.
“I think most importantly is to really care about what your team, what your family, and what you think of your game, because when you look inside, you know deep down what you need to improve on, what you do well. At times you’ve just got to grind through some of the hard times because better times are coming,” Wozniacki explained.
When Wozniacki takes on Swiatek on Wednesday, she will enter as the underdog but there is no doubt that the Polish four-time Grand Slam champion won’t take the 2018 Australian Open champion for granted.
