“I wouldn’t for sure find the courage to do that” – Iga Swiatek opens up on being approached by Serena Williams before her US Open 3R win
Iga Swiatek was inspired by American tennis legend Serena Williams to emerge victorious in her third-round contest at the 2024 US Open. The Pole met with the 23-time Grand Slam champion in the locker room before her match on August 31.
Iga Swiatek, the top seed, faced 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round of the 2024 US Open. The World No. 1 went all guns blazing against the Russian veteran and faced zero breakpoints on her serve to win the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. With this victory, Swiatek reached the fourth round of the US Open for the fourth year in a row.
Before the match, the Pole met with Serena Williams in the locker room. Williams, a six-time US Open champion, made an appearance at the 2024 US Open while watching compatriot Tommy Paul’s third-round win. Williams was also seen conversing with Swiatek ahead of her match against Pavlyuchenkova, and the latter was asked about the interaction during her post-match press conference.