What Are the Expectations of Sinner and Swiatek at the China Open?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sinner is eager to return to competitive play.
- Swiatek emphasizes the importance of personal growth over rankings.
- Both players are excited about the China Open experience.
- Swiatek's recent success boosts her confidence.
- Players are focusing on their performance and enjoyment.
Beijing, Sep 24 (NationPress) Men's top seed Jannik Sinner and women's top seed Iga Swiatek shared their anticipations on Wednesday as they gear up for the China Open tennis tournament, both expressing a desire to make the most of their time in Beijing.
"It's wonderful to be back in a tournament. After the US Open, my body feels in great shape. My mind is also focused. I enjoyed my time off after the US Open," mentioned Sinner, who faced off against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final a month ago.
The Italian player is set to go against world No. 97 Marin Cilic from Croatia in the round of 32 on Thursday. "The first round is always challenging in any tournament. Let's see how I perform tomorrow. Nonetheless, I'm thrilled to be back and hope to play some excellent tennis," he added. "We're preparing ourselves in the best way possible. I'm eagerly looking forward to competing here in China and we’ll see how it unfolds."
Swiatek, who recently clinched victory at the WTA 500 Korea Open on Sunday, where she triumphed over Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5, reflected on her win, according to reports from Xinhua.
"Typically, I just feel good and then I win. However, I wasn't at my best at the start of the final, but I managed to turn things around. This adaptability is the highlight of this tournament."
Ranked No. 2 currently, Swiatek still trails Aryna Sabalenka by over 2,700 points. However, Sabalenka has withdrawn from the China Open due to injury. The Polish star stressed that rankings are not her main concern.
"I've learned that focusing on rankings isn’t productive, regardless of whether you’re No. 2 or No. 1. It's merely numbers. The key is to feel the tennis and concentrate on improving on the court; the results will follow," stated Swiatek.
"I’m not preoccupied with rankings. It’s a different scenario compared to last year when I couldn’t defend my No. 1 position. I’m just grateful to be here and compete for it. My primary focus is on tennis-related aspects, how I want to play, and how I feel on the court," she added.
Swiatek also expressed her desire to explore Beijing, although her schedule may restrict her sightseeing opportunities. "I would love to visit the Great Wall, but I doubt I’ll have the time due to a tight schedule. For now, my focus is on the tournament, and we’ll see how it progresses. If I perform well, I may not have time to see anything at all."
The Pole felt positive after changing the color of her racquet for the upcoming matches. "I was advised to switch my racquet to white. I like it. I’ve had numerous successful tournaments with it, so I’m back to white. I appreciate the white racquet; it complements every outfit."