World No. 1 Iga Swiatekis admittedly shy, but with every passing season she gets a bit more comfortable under the arclights. After a hectic summer which included theParisOlympic Games, she is now striving to go that extra mile heading into theUS Open...There was a moment early in Paris 2024 that resonated with a wholesome Olympic vibe. World No.1 Iga Swiatek, the pre-tournament favourite who finished with a bronze medal, gathered silver medalist Donna Vekic and gold medal winner Qinwen Zheng, the Pole's conqueror in the semifinals, following the presentation ceremony.The medallists arranged themselves for a podium selfie that became the feature of the Games. A keep-sake frame, a proactive call from Swiatek, who held up her medal in a victory statement. A bronze that was as good as gold. For the moment at least.Swiatek, 23, the top-seed at the US Open, who opens against the 104th-ranked Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round on Tuesday, is admittedly shy. But with every passing year, having logged more time in the sports' elite bracket, she's becoming increasingly comfortable in the spotlight.Swiatek, who could meet the fourth seedKazakh Elena Rybakinain the last four in New York, is the owner of the most solid counter in the draw. In the off-season she added steel to her serve, and it has reflected in the stats.The Pole has won 83.6% of her service games this season, more than any other player in the top 10. She has also saved the most breakpoints in that elite bracket besides winning 64.9% of points on the second serve, the best figures in the top 10.Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, has lower expectations from the fortnight this year, given that it has been a hectic summer. "It has been an intense season, and after theOlympics, it hasn't been easy," said Swiatek, who played just one tournament in the lead-up to the major. "I feel the best when I'm focused on practicing and grinding on the court, focused on making my game better and not thinking about the results. I'm just going to try to keep that mindset," she said.What does comfort look like on a tennis court? Reaching wide for a ball on the backcourt, or punching an ace at breakpoint? "It's a feeling, you're able to do things naturally," said Swiatek. "You don't have to think extra, take care of technicalities or movements, because you can do it just with your intuition."Swiatek's response to Danielle Collins at the end of their quarterfinal clash at the Olympics carried those very stripes. Organic. For the unversed, the world No. 11 was struggling physically in the clash against Swiatek and when trailing 1-4 in the decider she retired with an abdominal injury.Swiatek, who was walking up to Collins, was met by the American on her side of the court. Collins told Swiatek that she didn't want anyone 'faking' concern over her injury, and that she didn't care for 'insincere' talk.The Pole was visibly stunned. "I haven't had the best experience, and I don't really feel like anybody needs to be insincere," Collins said in her post-match media interaction.Swiatek, who could meet Collins in the last-eight in New York, refused to get into a verbal exchange. "I would rather not get into this because it is her last year on Tour," the world No.1 said. 'I haven't had a chance to tell her she had a great journey and that she has really played well."That's Swiatek sending a heavily spun forehand into an open court. Organic.
