Powiedziała – Iga Świątek może wygrać US Open 2024, ale „nie lekceważcie Naomi Osaki” – mówi Martina Navratilova

Previewing the US Open, 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova said Polish world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has all the tools to capture a second title in New York. Swiatek comes into the final major of 2024 in indifferent form, with Aryna Sabalenka the strong favourite to lift the crown. Swiatek begins her quest for a sixth Grand Slam against qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova on Tuesday.

Martina Navratilova insists Iga Swiatek can win the US Open as the Pole prepares to begin her quest for a second title in New York.

The world No. 1 said her “expectations are not so high compared to last year” as she attempts to remove some of the pressure she puts on herself, especially in the biggest tournaments. iga Swiatek won at Flushing Meadows in 2022 but lost in the last 16 last year and comes into the 2024 edition in indifferent form.

She claimed a fourth French Open crown in June before being knocked out in the third round at Wimbledon by Yulia Putintseva and then losing in the Olympic semi-finals to eventual champion Qinwen Zheng.
In her previous outing, she was well beaten in the last four by Aryna Sabalenka, who is the early favourite to reign in New York.

But Navratilova believes she is the player most capable of dealing with Sabalenka’s devastating power.
Asked by the WTA if Swiatek could claim a second US Open in three years, 18-time Grand Slam champion Navratilova said: “Of course she can. I mean, for Iga, the only person who can really hit her off the court is Sabalenka. [Elena] Rybakina, maybe on grass, but not on hard courts.

“Iga’s forehand on the hard court really pays off, so that levels the playing field against Rybakina. Against Sabalenka, Iga has better tools to deal with her, to neutralise her, than anybody else.
“She’s been working on her serve, getting more free points on that. I think the Olympics was just way too much pressure because she was such a favourite on the clay, and that can play games with your brain.
“So I wouldn’t worry about the Olympic result that much.”

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Swiatek faces qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round and could take on another in the second round after being dealt a favourable draw that has her on the opposite side to both Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff.

Gauff came from a set down 12 months ago to beat Sabalenka in an absorbing final and land her national championship in front of a fervent New York support.
Sabalenka bounced back from that loss to defend the Australian Open in 2024 and is the favourite for many to bookend the four Grand Slams with victories.

She was forced to miss Wimbledon and the Olympics with injury but returned in style by winning in Cincinnati, with Navratilova citing her freshness as a potentially decisive factor.
“For sure [Sabalenka is the favourite],” she added. “Last year’s final might have been the worst match Sabalenka’s played in any big match, and she will have learned her lesson – and will be extremely motivated.

“She still has some confidence from getting to the finals, winning the Australian Open and Cincinnati. She’s fit – and I think a key factor is that she didn’t play the Olympics. So she’s fresher than everybody else.
“No scar tissue from Paris. Swiatek expended that energy, and so did Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka will be chomping at the bit, for sure.”