Chris Evert says it’s true that mentally getting ready your self for a Grand Slam after simply successful one shouldn’t be straightforward and acknowledges that grass shouldn’t be Iga Swiatek’s greatest floor however provides that it’s “foolish” to assume that the Pole cannot win the title at The Championships.
Throughout the clay season, Swiatek was lights out as she gained back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Madrid and Rome earlier than finishing a three-peat on the French Open and bettering to 5 Grand Slam titles. However doing so effectively got here with a value because the 23-year-old Pole was left mentally and bodily exhausted, which pressured her to skip Berlin so she might relaxation.
Consequently, world No. 1 Swiatek is coming into Wimbledon – which is the lone Grand Slam the place she hasn’t had a semifinal – with no match performed on grass this yr.
However Evert, a former 18-time Grand Slam champion and a three-time Wimbledon winner, wasn’t shocked by Swiatek’s transfer since she believes the Pole most likely wanted “a full week to get again on monitor.” And that wasn’t the one difficult factor as Evert highlights there may be at all times “a let down” after successful a Slam and added that Swiatek is likely to be fascinated about the Paris Olympics behind her thoughts.
“I don’t know. I ponder the place her head is correct now so far as Wimbledon. It definitely is probably the most difficult of all of the majors due to a number of issues. Her candy spot once more is shoulder excessive the place she hits her winners,” Evert stated on ESPN.
Evert explains the tough half about enjoying on grass for Swiatek
One of many huge explanation why Swiatek hasn’t but turn into a robust pressure on grass or gained a title there lies in the truth that the grass as a floor is making it extraordinarily powerful for her to play her regular recreation. And when previewing Wimbledon, Evert defined intimately what it Is in regards to the inexperienced floor that makes it so difficult for the five-time Grand Slam champion to play on it.
“Proper now the grass courts bounce a little bit bit decrease. She has to hit the ball between the ankle and the waist. With that western grip, it’s actually laborious to get beneath the ball and to get some form on it,” Evert defined.
“She doesn’t win numerous free factors along with her serve, and that’s going to harm her as effectively. She’s the quickest participant on the market. I feel she strikes the perfect of any of the ladies. Coco [Gauff] and her are very, very even.
“The fantastic thing about her recreation was the way in which she was sliding on the clay, then the way in which she bought again into level, again into the courtroom so effectively. That’s going to be laborious to do additionally on grass.
“Once more, it’s probably the most difficult. She’s simply going to must be a little bit extra aggressive and attempt to get the primary strike of the ball, like she does on each different floor.”
Evert’s stern warning to Swiatek’s doubters: It’s foolish…
Heading into Wimbledon, some do not even Swiatek because the No. 1 favourite – some simply assume she is amongst favorites – whereas there are some who assume that the Polish world No. 1 should not even be thought of a contender for the title.
Evert agrees that different gamers really feel Swiatek is extra weak on grass however then additionally underlines one key factor – the 23-year-old Pole has confirmed many occasions during the last two years that she is a psychological large. And contemplating Swiatek’s resume and her psychological power, the American tennis legend warns that taking the world No. 1 without any consideration may very well be an enormous mistake.
“I simply assume grass is an equalizer for her. The opposite gamers, like Sabalenka, Rybakina, Coco, they’re going to really feel like she doesn’t have numerous confidence, she’s by no means finished higher than the quarter-finals, and he or she’s most likely fascinated about the Olympics.
“There’s no person stronger than her mentally. There’s no person stronger than her mentally. She has an amazing return of serve. I feel she will win Wimbledon. I feel she will. Individuals who rely her out this yr are foolish. I feel she will win Wimbledon.
“Once more, the place is her head at? Is she fascinated about the Olympics? Is she fascinated about the purple clay? Is she actually gung-ho on Wimbledon? That is still to be seen. Proper now her preparation isn’t that nice if she’s not enjoying a match.”
Swiatek begins her Wimbledon marketing campaign on Tuesday by enjoying in opposition to Sofia Kenin.