“Suck it up,” Martina Navratilova offers no sympathy to Iga Swiatek after complaining of no fuel in the tank ahead of the US Open 2023

Martina Navratilova advises Swiatek to push through fatigue ahead of the US open defense.

“Suck it up,” Martina Navratilova offers no sympathy to Iga Swiatek after complaining of no fuel in the tank ahead of the US Open 2023

Iga Swiatek and Martina Navratilova (Credits: The Mirror and OpIndia)

Tennis veteran Martina Navratilova has given World No. 1 Iga Swiatek some tough love as she prepares to defend her crown at the US Open. Swiatek recently stated that her “tank of fuel” is running low, but Navratilova’s reaction encourages her to “suck it up” and rise to the challenge.

Swiatek, the defending champion, will begin her title defense against Rebecca Peterson of Sweden on Monday in New York. Navratilova, though, has responded candidly to a couple of recent losses and her comments about weariness.

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Navratilova, who has 18 Grand Slam singles victories and 31 in women’s doubles, offered her thoughts on Swiatek’s dilemma. She reflected on her own career, stating that she had only experienced tiredness before the US Open once, in 1976, following an intensive period of continuous play.

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“The stress on the players, I understand that. But I still have to say, ‘Come on, just suck it up’. It’s September, you didn’t play that many tournaments and this is the US Open. So if you can’t get up for that, if you’re that mentally tired, don’t play,” Navratilova said bluntly.

Swiatek’s experience as a Polish player, according to Navratilova, may have affected her hectic schedule, including the recent Warsaw event. She did, however, advise Swiatek to either completely commit to the US Open or consider taking a break to recover and prepare for the season-ending tournaments.

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Martina Navratilova’s Straight Talk

Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova (Credit: The NY Times)

Navratilova’s counsel echoes the concept of putting problems in perspective and appreciating the opportunity to compete at the greatest level. “Just do it and say, ‘Okay, I’m fine.’ It’s only two weeks, seven matches, and I literally have to train for maybe 20 hours in the next two weeks,'” Navratilova argued, providing a practical perspective on the tournament’s demands.

She encouraged Swiatek to accept that the rest of the arrangements, including practice and physical training, had been made. The emphasis should be on giving her best during the bouts. Navratilova’s advice contrasts the demands of competitive tennis with the daily grind that many individuals encounter in their jobs. Despite the strain, she encourages Swiatek to toughen up mentally and seize the moment she’s been working for her entire life.

Swiatek’s open practice match at the US Open on Arthur Ashe Stadium provides a look into her preparation. Recognizing the challenges of being a defending champion, Swiatek is committed to taking the event step by step, without putting undue pressure on herself to win her fifth Grand Slam title.

Swiatek’s physical problems have not been ignored, even in the midst of her dedication. Coco Gauff noticed Swiatek appeared to be hiding cramping concerns during a recent match. Swiatek has freely admitted to feeling tired throughout the summer months. Swiatek has now played 62 matches this year alone. Following a brief break after Wimbledon, she competed in three tournaments leading up to the US Open. Her victory in Warsaw constituted a watershed moment in her career.

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