Shortly after gaining passage into the 2024 US Open quarterfinals on Monday night, Iga Swiatek posted a GIF on social platform X (formerly Twitter) of Ted Lasso jumping up to tap a sign with the scribbled message, "BELIEVE."
The choice was especially appropriate since the sitcom's lead, former Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis had been sitting in the stands in Arthur Ashe Stadium, watching the world No. 1 roar past No.16 seed Liudmila Samsonova, 6-4, 6-1. His character, a goofy and warm-hearted soccer coach, would have been as proud as punch at Swiatek's positivity and tunnel vision demonstrated on court.
The last time Swiatek featured in the Elite 8 at Flushing Meadows, the Pole went on to lift the trophy at 2022 US Open.
"I take a lot of experience from the tournament, but I think I have the most memories from our final against Ons [Jabeur]," the top seed said. "Random moments and not so often as you might think, because usually I just look forward. Not on court because I'm just focused on what I want to do right there, not two years ago."
There's the champion's mentality—Serena Williams-style some might say. In fact, Williams was onsite the other day and offered up some encouraging words for Swiatek in a behind-the-scenes pep talk. Swiatek certainly isn't short of any inspiration.
On Wednesday, Swiatek will take on Jessica Pegula. Two years ago, en route to glory, Swiatek faced off with Pegula on this same stage in the quarterfinals, with a 6-3, 7-6(4) scoreboard. Since then, their rivalry has had five more episodes, Swiatek winning three, without any meetings in 2024.
"I remember it was the first match in 2022 where I felt the ball is listening to me a little bit more. That's the only thing. I don't remember specifics of how that match even went," the four-time major winner said. "Against Jessie, it's never easy. It's going to be a tough one, because she plays really flat ball with no spin. You have to really work low on your legs. For sure, she's in a good rhythm right now, and she won so many matches past weeks, that for sure it's going to be a challenge."
During media duties before Cincinnati last month, Swiatek made a tongue-in-cheek quip that she doesn't remember how she won the 2022 US Open silverware.
"I was 50 percent serious and 50 percent was a joke because I wouldn't say I played my best game or whatever that year," Swiatek said. "So it was a big surprise for me that I could win this tournament, because I felt like I kind of won it ugly."
"That's why probably I felt like this, but I also know how I was fighting every match for every ball and my defense was pretty great," she added. "So, on the other hand I understand why I won this tournament."
Following a shock third-round exit at Wimbledon, the world No.1 only featured once on the road to New York. Swiatek overcame shooting stars Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva in Cincinnati, before being halted by world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka in a slightly lackluster 6-3, 6-3 semi-final showing. Yes, the performance wasn't quite on money, but the hyperbole swirling around about a Swiatek demise wasn’t justified either.
Like ever, Swiatek shut out the outside noise and has steadily torn through the draw at the US Open. The Pole won a tiebreak in the opening round, a bagel 6-0 set in another, and has excelled at all tasks thus far.
Only 23 years old, Swiatek continues to cement her greatness, as Monday night's victory chalked up her 100th major match. A 83-17 Grand Slam record is simply sensational. Among those to begin their career in the Open Era, only six women have more wins in their first century of major contests. Monica Seles (93), Chris Evert (90), Steffi Graf (87), Martina Hingis/Serena Williams (86), and Venus Williams (85).
There's a stark reminder of Swiatek's sustained brilliance over the past four years or so. If the "ball is listening" to the full of Ted Lasso positivity world No.1, then that spells trouble for the remaining rivals.
