When Iga Swiatek, the new number one in women’s tennis, exploded on the circuit in 2019 -with a spectacular campaign at Roland Garros, where she reached the round of 16 at the age of just 18-, it was very clear to her that she wanted he did well. things in professional tennis. Although he also knew it would not be easy to fulfill those dreams. For this reason, he did not close the doors to an alternative path: education. Honest and smart, he graduated with excellent grades from high school and contemplated pursuing a career in college. But his tennis left and the books settled in the backseat. Although, as he commented a few years ago, he continues to use his math skills frequently in his battles.

“Understanding math the way I do it helps me relax on the court, understand track geometry and connect angles,” he recounted in mid-2019, shortly after the eye-opening performance. in the brick dust of Paris.

A day after her defeat to Simona Halep in that quarterfinals, she returned to Poland to prepare for her university entrance exams. Although before entering the academic field, he decided to give tennis a chance. And he was not mistaken. A year later, again on the slow court of the French capital, he won his first Grand Slam -and his first title-, beating the American in the title match. sophia keninafter “revenge” on Halep in the round of 16.

When asked about his future plans at the time, Swiatek – who started playing tennis following in the footsteps of his older sister Agata – commented: “I like to concentrate on tennis. It’s not easy to match the professional. that sport to study, but if you do ‘I’m about to win another Grand Slam, I’m going to enroll in university.’

His second Grand Slam hasn’t come, so far, at least. Since then, his best performance in that category has been the semifinals of the Australian Open 2022. But successes have come on other levels: since he was coronation at the French Open, he has added another five titles, four in they are in WTA1000, Rome 2021 and in 2022, Doha, Indian Wells and Miami, which she conquered on Saturday when she defeated Naomi Osaka in the final. With these results, she climbed through the rankings until she reached second place a few weeks ago, which she left on Monday to climb to the top for the first time before the withdrawal of Australian Ashleigh Barty. Now, he has no doubt: his place is in the courts, not in the classrooms.

“At one point I thought of enrolling in a university in Europe. I think I was 50 and 50 at some point, after I graduated. But I was always clear that I wanted to play tennis, I wanted to be a professional , and I I realize that in order to get into the top 20 quickly, I need to focus on sport. And after winning Roland Garros, thinking about studying is impossible. But I still have time “, he commented after his victory against Osaka in the tournament in Florida.

Swiatek -Olympic gold in women’s doubles Buenos Aires Youth Games 2018 and 2018 Wimbledon champion in junior- is not closing the door on the university. Although he recognized that, if he had to choose which way to go, it would cost him a lot.

“I don’t have a strong passion for science or any particular career. I’m interested in many things, but it’s not enough to choose anything as a path of study. I’m probably inclined to something related to math,” he added. which leaves evidence of a multifaceted personality.

It is that the Polish daughter of Tomasz Swiatek, Olympic rower in Seoul 1988- is more than just a tennis player. In addition to numbers, at school I really enjoyed physics and English classes. Although not the Spaniards. “It’s not my thing,” he once said.

Away from the courts, where it is pure concentration, aggression and competitiveness; He has a calm and cheerful personality. He is rarely seen without a smile on his lips when he is not competing or training.

On Saturday, hours after his assignment in Miami, he uploaded a video on his social networks that perfectly describes him. In the photos, you can see how, while he is pedaling, focused, on a stationary bicycle after the final, someone approaches him and offers him a special reward for his success. “Ahhh, pizzaaa,” he said with a big smile on his lips as he took a slice from the box in front of him.

In his free time, Swiatek enjoys reading, especially short novels and history books, and listening to music, one of his greatest passions. Songs from Santana, Florence and the Machine, ABBA at Coldplay. Although also from Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pink Floyd and AC/DC, which he usually listens to before jumping on the court.

“AC/DC puts me in the party mood,” he once said. “When I went to tournaments as a woman, that was the music my coaches listened to. It was something that stayed with me. I think I’m fascinated with older music because it has more value in the past, more spirit, more emotion, and less man -made. “

Cat lovers – there is one named grappa at his home in Raszyn- and a fan of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray-who he usually accompanies to training sessions and talks when they meet at tournaments- and a skier Mikaela Shiffrinhis love of sports is more than tennis.

He is also a fan of soccer, which he usually incorporates into his training sessions, and a fan of Legia of Warsawa club he represented for several years.

At 20, Pole is at the top of his sport, but he remains grounded. Who for several years traveling with a psychologist on his team, knows that he deserves promotion, but he does not lose perspective.

“Reaching number one gives me a lot of confidence and satisfaction, obviously. In these weeks, I’ve learned a lot about myself. But I’m still the same person, the same Iga. I want to stay on that way. I don’t want success to change me in a negative way. ”, reviewed, humbly, Swiatek, the new number one in women’s tennis, who changed books and math for the racket and made no mistakes.