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'I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me,' Iga Swiatek declares Olympics is a ‘priority’ even after ‘sky-high expectations’

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ritesh Pathak | Last updated 3/21/24

Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek has admitted that she has her eyes set on the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old who took part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is familiar with the Olympic vibe and knows how competitive the tournament can be. Nevertheless, Swiatek says the Olympics stays the priority for her this season.

The four-time Grand Slam champion said that while she has the Olympics in sight, there are other important tournaments before the elite event and thus, she has not set a goal for herself yet. However, Swiatek is well aware of the expectations people will be having from her.

When Swiatek was asked if the Olympics were in the plans, the 22-year-old cleared that the games are not just in the plan but a priority. But the Pole admitted that it was too early for her to make any plans around the games.

They are in the plans. It's a priority honestly. But for now, there are so many tournaments before that, that I am not focusing on them...So for now, I am taking everything step-by-step. I don't have any expectations because I know how tough this tournament is and how hard it is to handle it sometimes. I know there is going to be a lot of pressure on me because it's clay. Iga Swiatek said.

Iga Swiatek hoping to do a better job at the Olympics this time

The 22-year-old Polish ace then recalled her maiden Olympics experience. Iga Swiatek said that she has been in that environment and felt the nerves. The Pole then said that she expects to do a better job this time.

Swiatek, however, refrained from setting a goal for herself as she feels there is ample time left before the 2024 Paris Olympics kicks off.

I was in Tokyo. I have been through all this, you know, Olympic vibe even though it was in COVID times, you could feel it. And I just hope I am going to do a better job this time at managing it. But in terms of performance, I think there is no sense to talk about it because it's a long time until the Olympics. Iga Swiatek said.

Iga Swiatek says the Olympics are a priority for her this season:

“Yes, they’re in the plans. It’s a priority honestly… I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me because it’s clay, it’s Roland Garros…”

pic.twitter.com/7Vddiu9PaX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 20, 2024

Notably, Swiatek finished in the 17th position at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Times have changed for the better for Swiatek in these four years and the Polish ace will enter the tournament as a favorite this year.

The 22-year-old is the top-ranked player in the world. Swiatek has been at the helm for almost two years now and thus, expectations will be high from the Pole. It will be interesting to see if Swiatek manages to live up to the expectations or if she will have to wait for her maiden Olympic medal.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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