Iga Swiatek embraces new approach in hunt for first Australian Open title

MELBOURNE – Iga Swiatek said on Jan 13 she hopes a new coach and a fresh approach will help propel her to a first Australian Open title.

The world No. 2, who served a one-month doping suspension in 2024 and lost her top ranking to Aryna Sabalenka, was talking after her 6-3, 6-4 first-round win over Katerina Siniakova.

The Pole has won five Grand Slam titles but has a patchy record in Melbourne. She arrived in 2025 with Naomi Osaka’s former coach Wim Fissette in her corner after hooking up with the Belgian towards the end of 2024.

“I think overall the preparation is a bit changed because of a different coach,” Swiatek told reporters, when asked how she would improve her chances in Melbourne.

“I feel like that was enough of a change. We’re obviously working a little bit differently because it’s always different when you change coaches.”

Swiatek has progressed beyond the fourth round only once at the Australian Open in 2022 when she was upset by Danielle Collins in the semi-finals.

“This year I have a hitting partner in my team, for this tournament as well. But I wouldn’t say my preparation during the last years was really bad. This is not the easiest surface for me. I just have to keep grinding and fighting for every ball,” she said.

It was not all plain sailing against the doubles specialist Siniakova.

Swiatek appeared to be cruising at 4-2 and 40-0 up in the first set when Siniakova suddenly found another gear to break back. The Pole berated herself and came out aggressively after the changeover to break Siniakova again and serve out for the set in 38 minutes.

Swiatek went 2-0 in front at the start of the second but again the nine-time doubles Grand Slam champion managed to get back on serve.

Another break gave Swiatek the edge once more and this time she closed out the match in 81 minutes.

“Katerina I know her from playing doubles against her that she’s not an easy opponent,” said Swiatek, who will face Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova in the second round.

“She was playing really well and I just needed to be more proactive. I did that in the second set, so I’m happy.”

Swiatek began her 2025 campaign with four singles wins out of five at the United Cup, her first event since it was revealed she had served a doping suspension.

The 23-year-old pulled out of the WTA’s late-season Asian swing, citing “personal matters”.

Later, it emerged she had been under a one-month suspension for testing positive for a banned heart medication. She denies knowingly doping.

The Polish star has fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, sixth seed Elena Rybakina and eighth seed Emma Navarro lurking in her half of the draw. But she will not face the world No. 1 and defending champion Sabalenka until the final, should she get that far.

In other action, red-hot world No. 3 Coco Gauff laid down a marker as she swept aside former Melbourne champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin.

Gauff, 20, is unbeaten in 2025 after leading the US to United Cup glory and eased past the 2020 Australian Open winner 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be difficult but you know, I’m happy with how I played,” said Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.

Victoria Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion, was a notable early loser as the Belarusian went down 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.

US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, the seventh-seeded American, blew away home player Maya Joint 6-3, 6-0.

Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, meanwhile, marked her return from maternity leave with a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) upset of 16th seed and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia.

The 10th-seeded Collins overcame Daria Snigur of Ukraine 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.

Japan’s Naomi Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 winner in Melbourne, got her revenge by beating 67th-ranked Caroline Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a repeat of the first-round clash a year ago that the French player won. AFP