Iga Swiatek has developed a reputation as a bookworm.
But these days the six-time major champion is making a switch – to movies.
Swiatek, who defeated American qualifier Kayla Day on Saturday to improve to 23-3 lifetime at Indian Wells, says that she felt she needed to learn more about the art of cinema.
“I’m actually watching the classics from the ’90s,” Swiatek said. “It’s super nice. “Legends of the Fall” and “English Patient.” Intense movies, but I love them/ I always needed to get more movie knowledge in my life, because I know a lot about books, TV shows, but movies, not really. I’m still learning.”
Asked why she has chosen film as her new mode of relaxation, Swiatek said “Because I felt like I have a lack of knowledge in that area of my life, so I needed to fill that.”
Asked to share the best move she’s watched, the Pole didn’t name names, but admitted that the films resonate with her emotionally.
“They are all basically like Oscar-nominated or won Oscars. Hard to pick,” she said, adding: “But I’m crying on every show.”
The two-time Indian Wells champion will face Maria Sakkari in her next match in the California desert. Swiatek defeated Sakkari in the final at Indian Wells in 2022 and 2024, dropping a total of nine games in those four sets. She is 4-4 against Sakkari lifetime, and lost to the Greek in their last meeting, last month in Doha.
“In Doha it was, for me, quite obvious why I lost, and immediately when I went off the court, I knew what to improve,” she said. “Like technical-wise, I didn’t really prepare for some of the shots as I should. When we got back home, I really practiced hard.”