Swiatek embraces expectations as Sabalenka eyes Madrid breakthrough

Iga Swiatek says she has learned to embrace the immense expectations placed upon her during the clay-court season, as the world number two looks to defend her Madrid Open title and find top form on her favourite surface.

A four-time French Open champion and the most dominant clay-courter of her generation, Swiatek is yet to fully hit her stride this year. However, the 23-year-old Pole remains optimistic as she begins her Madrid campaign against rising Filipina Alexandra Eala — who upset her in Miami last month.

“The expectations for sure are high, but they’re high every year for me since 2022,” Swiatek told reporters at the Caja Mágica on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to keep my job and not really focus on what people say. Honestly, they have no idea what’s going on in any of our lives… but for sure I’m grateful that they have high hopes.”

Swiatek opened her clay season with a quarter-final showing in Stuttgart, where she fell to Jelena Ostapenko for a sixth time. Despite the loss, she said she is enjoying the rhythm of training and hopes her game will click soon.

Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to go one better than last year, when she narrowly lost to Swiatek in a thrilling Madrid final.

“That match was a blockbuster… if I can play like that in every match on clay, I think I have big chances,” said Sabalenka, who starts against Anna Blinkova.

Elsewhere, Petra Kvitova’s return to clay ended in a straight-sets loss to Katie Volynets, while Emma Raducanu advanced with a gritty win over Suzan Lamens.