World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has brushed aside concerns over her form after suffering consecutive defeats at the United Cup, insisting she remains confident heading into the Australian Open, despite admitting to feeling physically drained.
The Polish star was beaten 6-3, 0-6, 3-6 by Belinda Bencic in the women’s singles match of the mixed-team final in Sydney on Sunday. The loss followed an earlier semifinal defeat to Coco Gauff, where Swiatek went down 4-6, 2-6 in a performance that lacked her usual sharpness.
Against Bencic, Swiatek endured an unusually difficult outing, losing seven consecutive games, including a rare bagel in the second set. Visible frustration marked the closing stages of the match, a stark contrast to her typically composed demeanour.
The back-to-back defeats are a rarity for the six-time Grand Slam champion, who last experienced consecutive losses at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November, and prior to that, not since 2021.
Despite the results, Swiatek remained calm in her post-match assessment. She acknowledged physical soreness but stressed that it was not unusual at the start of the season, particularly in energy-sapping team competitions. “Everything is fine,” Swiatek said, explaining that the demands of the United Cup had taken a toll on her body.
She added that adequate recovery time would be key before turning her focus fully to Melbourne. She admitted struggling physically in the latter stages of the match against Bencic, citing a drop in movement and intensity. She also conceded that she was unable to maintain precision as fatigue set in.
With the Australian Open beginning on Sunday, Swiatek has limited time to fine-tune her game after committing 36 unforced errors, compared to Bencic’s 10, in the final. She said the priority would be balancing recovery with targeted adjustments in the days ahead. The United Cup ended on a positive note for Poland, however, as Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski secured victory in the decisive mixed doubles, sealing a 2-1 win over Switzerland.
Swiatek now turns her attention to Melbourne Park, where she continues her pursuit of the one Grand Slam title missing from her resume. The 24-year-old has reached the Australian Open semifinals twice, most recently in 2025, where she was beaten by eventual champion Madison Keys.
As the season’s first major approaches, Swiatek remains focused on recovery and rhythm, confident that her form will come together when it matters most.
