Iga Swiatek Recalls ‘Freezing for a Minute’ Seeing Taylor Swift Live: “I Burst Into Tears”

Iga Swiatek is a Swiftie. And so when she received the handwritten letter from Taylor Swift herself, inviting her to the Eras Tour concert in Liverpool, right after she won the fourth Roland Garros title in 2024, Swiatek burst into tears upon seeing the Blank Space singer on the stage.

Swiatek, at that time, had shared a picture of herself holding the letter with tears welling up in her eyes. She recalled that encounter during her appearance on Natalia Szymanczyk‘s podcast.

When I saw Taylor come on stage, I was shocked that she actually exists. I froze for a minute because I spent my entire childhood reading about her, watching her online, and suddenly there she was live. It was the first time in my life I felt something like that. It was very irrational, because obviously she exists.

Last year at the US Open, when Swiatek was walking off the court following her first-round win, Swift took to her Instagram to announce her engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swiatek, like other Swifties, has followed the Anti-Hero singer’s various relationships, and said she was happy for Swift “because she deserves the best“, calling Kelce a “great guy“.

Also earlier this year, Swiatek was asked to reveal her favorite song from The Life of a Showgirl album. It was the song Elizabeth Taylor, inspired by the iconic Hollywood actress.

Swiatek is also pretty famous, particularly in Poland, so she understands why sometimes fans act strangely when they meet her.

That’s why I can understand when people act strangely when they approach me. I’d act strangely too if I met Taylor. When I got a letter from her, I burst into tears. It was incredible. When I was 14 and didn’t know what to do, I wondered what Taylor would do. It helped me.

Iga Swiatek added

Also in an interview, Swiatek said Swift helped her feel less alone as a teenager and that listening to her songs helped her learn English.

Dominika Cibulkova calls Iga Swiatek her favorite player

Former World No.4 Dominika Cibulkova, who called time on her career in 2019, faced Aryna Sabalenka twice, losing both matches. Cibulkova recently gave an interview to Tennis365, during which she expressed her belief in Iga Swiatek‘s ability to reclaim her No.1 ranking from the Belarusian ace. She also picked Swiatek as her favorite player ahead of the four-time Grand Slam singles champion. Swiatek is now the World No.8 player.

Yes, Sabalenka is strong. When I look from my perspective… I played against her when I was finishing my career, and she’s a powerhouse. She’s a great player, but my favorite is Swiatek.

Although Swiatek has not performed consistently this year, reaching just one semifinal (at the Italian Open), Sabalenka has played four finals, winning titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Miami. She came close to winning her third Australian Open singles title. But in her fourth consecutive final in Melbourne, the 28-year-old lost in three sets to Elena Rybakina.

Since her win in Miami, Sabalenka has not yet played another final, including on the clay swing, where last year she lost to Coco Gauff in the French Open final.

Both Sabalenka and Swiatek will be seen in action in Toronto. Like Swiatek, Sabalenka is also a one-time semifinalist in the tournament, but she skipped it last year and played in Cincinnati, losing in the quarterfinals.

After the two WTA 1000 events on the North American hardcourt swing, Sabalenka will be bidding to defend her title at the US Open. The World No.1 beat Amanda Anisimova in straight sets last year. Sabalenka could lose her No.1 ranking if she doesn’t perform well in the three big events on the North American hardcourt swing.

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