Iga Swiatek: “It would be stupid to expect a lot” at Roland Garros after Rome loss

ROME, Italy—A red-eyed Iga Swiatek met the media hours after a shocking 6-1, 7-5 defeat to Danielle Collins at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, one that left her feeling pessimistic about her chances to win a fifth title at Roland Garros.

“Obviously it would be stupid to expect a lot because I’m not able to play my game right now,” said Swiatek, who was the defending champion in both Rome and the Mutua Madrid Open last week.

Swiatek went 21-1 on clay last year, winning back-to-back-to-back titles in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros, but has not reached a final at any tournament sinc“I think I just wasn’t present to fight and to compete,” she said. “I focused on mistakes and it’s my mistake and I’m not doing things right. The focus is on the wrong things from my side and I’ll try to change it.”e winning in Paris last spring. The loss to Collins means she is now set to exit the Top 2 for the first time since 2022.

“Well for sure, it hasn’t been easy,” said Swiatek. “For sure, I’m doing something wrong, so I need to just regroup and change some stuff. I heard some ideas from the team, so I’ll just try to do that in next weeks.”

I think I just wasn’t present to fight and to compete. I focused on mistakes and it’s my mistake and I’m not doing things right. The focus is on the wrong things from my side and I’ll try to change it. Iga Swiatek

Swiatek had won her last six matches against Collins, but quickly fell behind 0-5 in the opening set and could only win six points on her second serve, bowing out to the American in straight sets.

“I think I just wasn’t present to fight and to compete,” she said. “I focused on mistakes and it’s my mistake and I’m not doing things right. The focus is on the wrong things from my side and I’ll try to change it.”

An effort to remind Swiatek of the positive feelings she has no doubt experienced in past years at Roland Garros was met with scorn, noting, “It doesn’t matter what feelings I get. Every year is different, so it doesn’t matter.”

Swiatek is nonetheless scheduled to return to Paris later this month, where she could face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as early as the quarterfinals depending on how subsequent results shake out in Rome.