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'I Wanted it Too Hard, I Need to Chill' Says Stunned Swiatek

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her fourth round match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Sandra Sanders
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her fourth round match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Sandra Sanders
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'I Wanted it Too Hard, I Need to Chill' Says Stunned Swiatek

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her fourth round match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Sandra Sanders
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her fourth round match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Sandra Sanders

World number one Iga Swiatek said she had felt the pressure and needed to "chill", after suffering a stunning exit in the Australian Open last 16 on Sunday.

The Pole came into Melbourne Park as a red-hot favorite for the first Grand Slam of the year, but was overpowered in straight sets by Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina at Rod Laver Arena.

The 21-year-old Swiatek admitted she buckled under the weight of expectation as her dream of a fourth major crown -- but first in Australia -- was shattered.

"Well, for sure, past two weeks have been pretty hard for me," a downcast Swiatek told reporters.

"I felt today that I don't have that much left to fight even more," AFP quoted her as saying.

"I felt like I took a step back in terms of how I approach these tournaments, and I maybe wanted it a little bit too hard.

"So I'm going to try to chill out a little bit more."

Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina, whose power game proved too much for the normally rock-solid Swiatek, now faces a quarter-final against Jelena Ostapenko.

The Latvian 17th seed provided the second upset of a crazy few minutes at Melbourne Park by knocking out Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-3 on the neighboring Margaret Court Arena.

Swiatek dominated women's tennis in 2022 after the retirement of last year's Australian Open champion Ashleigh Barty, at one point going on a 37-match unbeaten streak to become the woman everyone wants to beat.

"I felt the pressure," Swiatek admitted. "I felt that I didn't want to lose instead of wanting to win."

The 6ft tall (1.82m) Rybakina always seemed to be in control of the match, particularly once her first serve, one of the fastest in the women's game, got into gear.

"Elena was the one that was more solid today and I felt like it was more about who is going to put more pressure on, and she did that pretty well," said Swiatek.

Rybakina, the 22nd seed, slapped down six aces to Swiatek's two and fired home 24 winners to the Pole's 15.

"She served, you know, as she does usually," said Swiatek.

"I wanted to put it back on her, but on my service games I felt like I need to just work really, really hard to get any point because my first serve wasn't working."

Swiatek said she would strive to recapture her stunning form of 2022.

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Juventus Manager Dismisses End-of-season Fatigue Narrative

Head coach Igor Tudor (R), of Juventus reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Head coach Igor Tudor (R), of Juventus reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW
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Juventus Manager Dismisses End-of-season Fatigue Narrative

Head coach Igor Tudor (R), of Juventus reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Head coach Igor Tudor (R), of Juventus reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW

Juventus manager Igor Tudor played down suggestions that his team are showing signs of end-of-season fatigue, insisting his players are motivated and ready to compete as they prepare to face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Juventus opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over UAE’s Al Ain, and a win against Wydad would secure their progression to the next stage. Such a result would set up a highly anticipated Group G showdown with Manchester City on Thursday, likely to determine the group winners, Reuters reported.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tudor said he sees no signs of lethargy in his squad. "I don't see any signs of fatigue in the team; on the contrary, I see a lot of enthusiasm," he said. "It's a pleasure to see them enjoying playing together. They started the last match like it was a final. There's more confidence in them now, not just a little but a lot more. They’re enjoying what we’re building together, and that’s a fantastic thing."

Tudor, who took over in March following the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club. Juventus were floundering outside the Serie A top four and had been eliminated from all cup competitions when Tudor arrived. However, under his guidance, the team suffered just one further league defeat, finishing fourth to secure Champions League qualification.

Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Tudor expressed pride in his players’ professionalism and commitment. "I have great professionals who’ve been available from the first day to the last," he said. "There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes, but we’ve also developed a better understanding of the game and what I ask of them as a coach."

Despite the strong start in the Club World Cup, Tudor urged his squad to remain focused. "Juventus should be ambitious, but we must stay humble and work hard with our heads down," he said. "I always tell the players to focus on training and take each match as it comes. Maybe I bore them by saying it, but that’s the mindset we need."

Juventus' clash with Wydad Casablanca will be a key test of their progress under Tudor, with the Italian side looking to maintain momentum ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament.