Reigning US Open champions Iga Swiatek was eliminated from the final Grand Slam of the year on Sunday night, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 to Jelena Ostapenko in their fourth-round clash. As a result, the Polish star is set to lose her WTA world number one ranking, with number 2 Aryna Sabalenka set to take her place next week.
“I don’t know why I played that bad,” a puzzled Swiatek remarked after her elimination. “I’m not happy with my performances on hard courts this year. But overall, I did a pretty good job at maintaining my level. I’m happy I’m going to have time to practice because I miss that.”
Swiatek surged to the summit of world tennis last year, winning both Roland Garros and the US Open, her first two Grand Slam victories. While she may have struggled on hard courts this year, Swiatek reached the form of her life in May, going on to successfully defend her Roland Garros crown and winning Wimbledon for the first time in her career.
