Iga Swiatek Denies Obsession With Rankings as she Prioritizes ‘Focus on the Work’

Iga Swiatek has now gone a full year without winning a career WTA title, with her last win coming at the 2024 Roland Garros.

Iga Swiatek Denies Obsession With Rankings as she Prioritizes ‘Focus on the Work’

Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography)

Iga Swiatek has denied talks about prioritizing the World No.1 ranking. The Polish star was seen giving her first interview since her Roland Garros semifinal defeat to Aryna Sabalenka.

Swiatek claims that she’s no longer thinking about the ranking. For now, the Polish star has prioritized her game and optimism of getting back in the winner’s circle. Swiatek said in an interview to Sport.pl:

I don’t think about it every day, my perspective hasn’t changed: even when I was on top, I always said I wouldn’t focus on the ranking. When I returned in February after the Australian Open, I had a moment of disappointment regarding how I lost my ranking. However, there I chose to focus on the work…I know my abilities and what I can show on the court, and the fact that I play with a number next to my name doesn’t change that.

It has been a hard time for Swiatek as she has not won a title since winning her fourth Roland Garros title last year. In fact, she has not even reached a final since that Paris win last year.

Swiatek has shown consistency in tournaments this season. However, she has had three-set losses in the semifinals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros. As a result, she has lost her grip at the top of the WTA rankings.

Iga Swiatek to team up with Casper Ruud in US Open mixed doubles

Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud will team up for mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open, the USTA announced on Tuesday. This will be their first time playing together in this format. Their participation adds star power to the 16-team field set to compete in the revamped event.

Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud
Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud (Image via X/DW Sports, Tennis Talks)

Both players are known for their singles success rather than doubles. Swiatek won the US Open in 2022, while Ruud finished as the runner-up in the same year. Though they haven’t partnered on court before, Ruud has shown support for Swiatek, hinting at a growing friendship.

Their pairing follows the excitement of last year’s “Mixed Madness” showcase, which saw Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas claim a $500,000 prize. The event has now expanded, drawing more attention with higher stakes and a larger prize pool.

This year’s mixed doubles format will feature nine top 10 players from both the ATP and WTA tours. With a $1 million prize on the line, the matches will take place over two days during the US Open’s opening week, just before the main singles tournament kicks off on August 24.

Iga Swiatek suffers fresh Wimbledon blow

Polish star Iga Swiatek continues to face ranking setbacks in a season that has not lived up to her past dominance. After reaching the semifinals at the French Open, she fell to No. 7 and has now dropped further to No. 8—the lowest she has been since February 2022. With no tournament appearances in recent weeks and no titles so far in 2025, Swiatek’s struggles stand in contrast to her 2024 success.

Iga Swiatek (4)
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu has surged ahead in the rankings following her quarterfinal run at Queen’s. The 2021 US Open champion is now ranked No. 36, overtaking Katie Boulter to become the new British No. 1 for the first time in two years. Boulter, who dropped to No. 39, noted the shift was expected, saying she lost 250 points due to last year’s Nottingham title being removed from her total after a change in the schedule.

The Queen’s Club tournament, returning to the WTA calendar for the first time since 1973, brought a week of standout performances. Qinwen Zheng defeated Raducanu, en route to her first grass-court semifinal and rose to a career-high No. 4. Tatjana Maria climbed from No. 86 to No. 43 after winning the title as a qualifier. Amanda Anisimova, the runner-up, rose to No. 13, while Madison Keys returned to No. 6 after her semifinal appearance.

Raducanu’s performance in London showed promise despite back problems that affected her final match. The home crowd support helped her advance deep into the draw, showing strong form on grass. With Wimbledon approaching, the Brit’s rise in the rankings comes at a crucial moment in the season.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Reveals ‘Special Request’ to ‘Boss’ Emma Raducanu for This Year’s US Open Mixed Doubles