[BBC]
In the current issue of Second Serve, BBC senior journalist Amy Lofthouse discusses the unfolding events of the clay-court season.
Iga Swiatek Faces a Challenging Season
The world number two, Iga Swiatek, has an intense few months ahead as she defends a total of 4,195 points throughout the clay-court season, building on her remarkable performance in 2024, where she clinched every tournament except for the Stuttgart Open, in which she reached the semi-finals.
Swiatek’s Performance on Clay Courts
In her previous successes, Swiatek claimed the WTA 1,000 titles in Madrid and Italy, in addition to earning 2,000 points by retaining her French Open title. This means she is defending 54% of her total points (7,276) in the upcoming six weeks, while third-ranked Jessica Pegula has no points to defend.
Challenges for Swiatek This Year
Despite clay being her preferred surface, Swiatek has faced difficulties this year, suffering a semi-final defeat at the Australian Open while holding a match point and experiencing a surprising loss at the Miami Open to young Filipina player Alexandra Eala. Moreover, she has struggled with stress and irritability on the court and dealt with a troubling incident of verbal abuse from a fan in Miami.
Potential for a Fresh Start
A return to clay courts, where she excels, might serve as a much-needed reset for Swiatek, similar to the experience of Carlos Alcaraz, who is also the defending champion of the French Open. Alcaraz faced a mixed bag himself this year, with unexpected losses, but successfully overcame challenges in his Monte Carlo triumph, showcasing resilience that Swiatek aims to replicate.
Upcoming Events in Tennis
This week marks the Stuttgart Open in the WTA Tour, where the winner gets a brand-new Porsche. Seven of the top ten players, including Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, will be competing. Meanwhile, other notable tournaments include the Open de Rouen in France, where former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu makes her season debut after injury setbacks.
On the men’s side, defending champion Alcaraz leads the Barcelona Open alongside Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev, while Alexander Zverev is the top seed at the Munich Open.
