Iga Swiatek has dismissed claims that this year’s Australian Open courts are playing slower and that the balls are heavier.
On Friday, World No. 6 Jessica Pegula, who famously defeated Swiatek in the 2024 US Open quarterfinals, was eliminated from the Australian Open in a shocking 7-6 (3), 6-1 loss to World No. 55 Olga Danilovic. After her defeat, Pegula attributed her struggles to the conditions, saying, “It was slower than a clay court, it felt like. The balls were so heavy, and that definitely favored Olga.”
However, Swiatek, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, offered a contrasting view after her commanding 6-1, 6-0 win over Emma Raducanu on Saturday, which secured her a spot in the round of 16. When asked about complaints regarding the balls and court conditions, Swiatek said, “I haven’t noticed them being slower. For me, they’re fast. Last year, the newer balls felt like bullets, and you couldn’t control them. I don’t feel that this year. They are still dynamic and bounce fast, but I wouldn’t say there’s much difference.”
So far, the five-time Grand Slam champion has had a dominant run at the tournament, dropping only 10 games in her first three matches.
Swiatek will now face lucky loser Eva Lys, who has been one of the breakout stories of the tournament. The Polish star previously defeated Lys in their only other meeting at the 2022 Stuttgart Open and is expected to prevail again in Melbourne.
