'Clay has always been my favourite, but…': Iga Swiatek discusses favourite surface after sealing US Open quarterfinal spot

Iga Swiatek is back in the US Open quarterfinals after brushing aside Ekaterina Alexandrova 6–3, 6–1 in a match that looked deceptively straightforward. But according to the world No. 2, the early stages were anything but simple. “At the beginning, I felt like she played really fast, and also the court is a bit different, so I wanted to find my rhythm,” Swiatek said afterwards.

Once she settled into the contest, her trademark intensity returned. “Later on, I just felt like I was really in my bubble and in the zone,” she explained, smiling as she recalled her ability to take control. The 24-year-old admitted she was happy to embrace risk: “Sometimes I was making risky decisions, and I think I forced the ball to go in. So I’m just happy with the quality and with my serve as well.”

Her focus and freedom on court are becoming hallmarks of her season. Since winning Wimbledon, Swiatek has collected 18 hard-court victories, including a title in Cincinnati. Asked about her favourite surface, she surprised some with her honesty: “Now I like all of them, which is weird. For sure, the clay-court season has always been my favourite, but people make it pretty hard for me, you know? With all the pressure around.”

Swiatek added that the variety of conditions is actually part of her enjoyment now. “Sometimes it’s just easier to enjoy the surfaces where it’s harder to play, but you have more kind of freedom to just make mistakes and accept them. It depends. I would say every month is different, and I can play on every surface if I feel good with my game and in my head I feel confident.”

“It’s more important to develop as a player”

Despite being a six-time Grand Slam champion and current world No. 2, Swiatek insists her greatest motivation is not trophies or rankings but progress. “I think when I learn something new, or for example, when I struggled with some shot for most of last year, but then I can progress and feel that it’s better—I think this is the way it should go,” she explained.

She continued: “Sometimes you can play great and you can be at a great level, but if your opponent has the perfect day, you feel bad that you lost, but still you didn’t really fail. I think it’s better to just focus on yourself. Obviously we are all here to win tournaments, but also mistakes can happen. One bad day can happen. For me, it’s more important to just develop as a player and be a better player every week.”

“Thank you, it gives me a lot of energy”

Swiatek’s bond with her fans is unmistakable. Wherever she goes, a wave of red and white follows. In New York, the Polish chants rang loud on Arthur Ashe, making Swiatek feel at home despite the chaos of the city. As soon as the interview turned to her Polish supporters, she lit up. “Thank you. It gives me a lot of energy and I’m very happy that I can play in front of you,” she said in Polish.

Switching back to English, she added: “The same to the English-speaking fans—thank you guys for coming and being here because you make an amazing atmosphere out here on the court and it’s a pleasure to play in front of you.”

Next up: Anisimova or Haddad Maia

The road only gets tougher. Swiatek will face either Amanda Anisimova or Beatriz Haddad Maia in the quarterfinals. Both bring contrasting challenges: Anisimova with her flat, fearless ball-striking, Haddad Maia with her left-handed variety and patience. Swiatek knows she will need to summon the same intensity. “I’ll just try to play good throughout the whole year,” she said earlier, but for now her attention is squarely on the next test in New York.