Swiatek's Former Coach Pinpoints Her US Open Collapse Cause
Katerina Urbanova argues that Zheng's deep, high shots exposed Swiatek's lack of confidence and technical rigidity in New York.
Key points
- Katerina Urbanova states that Zheng Qinwen's high, deep shots exposed Swiatek's inability to generate her own pace.
- Swiatek's return game, a key strength earlier in the tournament, disappeared during the fourth-round loss.
- Urbanova identifies a lack of courage and excessive caution as the primary psychological barriers to Swiatek's success.
The red clay dust had barely settled on the memory of her Toronto triumph when the New York heat hit Iga Swiatek. She arrived at the US Open carrying the momentum of a Canadian Open title and a deep run in Cincinnati, her forehand slicing through opponents with the kind of raw power that once defined her career. For three rounds, the crowd roared as she swept her matches without dropping a set, the baseline rallies stretching long and heavy under the humid sky.
Then the rhythm broke. In the fourth round, Zheng Qinwen did not just defend; she dismantled. The Chinese star unleashed a barrage of high, deep balls that pinned Swiatek to the baseline, stripping away the speed that usually carries her through tight exchanges. The scoreline read 7-5, 6-3, a quiet but decisive exit that left the Polish star standing alone on the court, her confidence visibly frayed.
The geometry of the loss
Katerina Urbanova, who coached Swiatek for years, identifies the specific tactical shift that unraveled the former world number one. Unlike the previous round against Marie Bouzková, where shorter shots allowed Swiatek to rely on her heavy hitting, Zheng changed her approach. She began driving the ball high and deep, forcing Swiatek to chase pace she could not generate herself.
This variation disrupted Swiatek's return game, which had been a pillar of her recent success. Urbanova notes that when the ball lacked inherent speed, Swiatek struggled to create her own, leading to a cascade of errors. The dynamic shifted from a contest of power to a test of construction, an area where the Pole has remained vulnerable throughout the season.
A lack of court courage
According to Urbanova, the technical flaws are merely symptoms of a deeper psychological issue: a retreat from the net. Swiatek has become afraid to pull the trigger at critical moments, slowing her swing and playing too cautiously. This hesitation allows opponents to dictate the pace, forcing the Pole into uncomfortable positions where she is most likely to miss, particularly on her forehand side.
The former coach argues that Swiatek’s power no longer intimidates rivals in the same way, as players have learned to neutralize it with slower, dead balls. Urbanova expresses concern that this fear of committing to aggressive shots is a recurring theme, preventing Swiatek from seizing control of rallies before they become defensive scrambles.
Adjustments in the coaching camp
Despite the setbacks, Urbanova sees signs of progress since Wimbledon. Swiatek’s current coaching staff is working on grounding her movement, reducing the jumping style that previously added power but compromised stability. This shift aims to provide a more solid foundation for her strokes, allowing her to generate pace with better body mechanics rather than just arm strength.
The Polish star has fallen to ninth in the WTA rankings, a drop that reflects the inconsistency of her 2023 campaign. As reported by Yahoo Sports, the challenge now is to translate these technical adjustments into confident execution. Swiatek must find the courage to engage with the ball on her terms, rather than waiting for the perfect shot to arrive.
