The former world No 4 Swiatek can go to the “next level” by incorporating more variation into her game in the form of using the slice, drop shot and coming to the net.Swiatek has claimed two titles and compiled a 22-3 record in an impressive start to the 2024 season that has seen her extend her lead as the WTA world No 1.
Following a third round exit at the Australian Open, Swiatek won WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Indian Wells either side of a semi-final run in Dubai.
The 22-year-old was then beaten by Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets in the last 16 of the Miami Open.The Pole, who will turn 23 in May, has already claimed four Grand Slam titles, three of which have come at the French Open — where she is the two-time defending champion.
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Speaking to ausopen.com for the April edition of Five in Focus, Dokic analysed Swiatek’s development as the tour moves onto clay — her best surface.
“In a way it speaks to how good and consistent she is, that when she does lose a match it is a bit of a shock. I think she’s the most explosive player on tour, who probably moves the best as well,” assessed the Australian.
“Because she does move so well, that defensive style she can actually learn to do that… believe it or not, being No 1 in the world and a multiple Grand Slam champion, I still think that can get better.“When opponents go hard, fast, flat into her forehand, they will get some errors when they push her on the back foot, and that’s what’s been happening at times.
“She is improving her serve, she’s adjusted her motion, and I think the next step is adding in variation – slice, drop shot, coming forward.
“These aren’t changes; I look at them as additions, and this will take her to that next level when maybe things don’t go so well, then she can go to something like coming forward.
“She has worked on getting a bit more pop on her serve and getting a bit more out of her second serve. I like when players look for those extra things.”