Swiatek back to winning ways, feels the joy again

Iga Swiatek had not been herself for the first half of the year. The dominance with which she would conquer opponents and titles had suddenly been replaced by a player second-guessing her every move.

- Shahid Judge

She was losing early in tournaments she had once won. Often stoic, she was letting her emotions show on court. And in one unfortunate incident at Indian Wells, she hit a ball into the stands in frustration, only for it to come dangerously close toa ball boy.

Swiatek had not done what she was expected to do. But in July, ona surface she admitted she was least comfortable on, she did the unexpected. She won the Wimbledon Championships.

Just when it seemed that the wheels were coming off, she plowed back into form. Last week, she picked up another title for the first time in her career, clinching the Cincinnati Masters.

‘And now as the US Open beckons, the inform six-time Grand Slam champion isa firm title contender.

“I guess it's true that the best things come to you when you expect them the least,” Swiatek posted on social media after winning in Cincinnati, her 24th singles title and llth WTA 1000 level triumph.