Iga Swiatek has highlighted that she and Hubert Hurkacz will definitely not have an easy job of winning the gold medal in the mixed doubles competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This week, 2021 Miami Masters champion Hurkacz confirmed she and world No 1 Swiatek plan to play mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics next year.
On paper, Swiatek and Hurkacz look like very strong duo and top contenders for the mixed doubles title at 2024 Paris. "We'll see (laughs). Mix is such a specific game that I wouldn't look at the rankings or the favorites here.
You have to fight for every match here, these pairs are so well-matched, with doubles experience, that regardless of whether we are favorites or not, we have to play our best. It doesn't change anything," Swiatek told Przeglad Sportowy.
Swiatek hopes to do well for Poland
Swiatek, 22, made her Olympic debut in the summer of 2021 when the Tokyo Olympics were taking place. In her Olympic debut, Swiatek suffered a second-round loss to Paula Badosa in the singles event.
Swiatek also played in the mixed doubles event, where she and Lukasz Kubot were beaten in the quarterfinal. But now, Swiatek is a completely different player as she is the best player in the world. Swiatek admits she is not thinking too much about the Olympics right now but highlighted that it will be her priority in 2024.
"To be honest, we haven't really thought about it at all. Obviously, the Olympics will be a priority. I don't think it would be wise not to prioritize it, so we'll see. I really want to play as much as possible in front of the Polish audience.
Sometimes this is not possible due to the calendar. The season is long tournaments practically week after week. Next year with the Olympics even more so. I just planned the end of the season with the coach, so I don't know," Swiatek said.