Sawt Falasteen - Swiatek struggling with 'perfectionism' ahead of Rome

Although she has reached at least the quarter-finals of each tournament she has contested this season, the Pole has yet to win a title or even reach a final.

"This year I feel like I am struggling a bit more with my perfectionism," said the world No.2 at a press conference.

"I have a love-and-hate relationship with my perfectionism. These clay court tournaments, I just try to reflect on how I see my game and how I also saw previous seasons.

"The thing is, I only remember the good stuff because I was winning titles and everything.

"I'm making decisions that are not really good at the moment because I just remember how it felt in previous tournaments.

"I assume it's going to go in, and then I make mistakes. It's not the same, I'm confused."

In 2024, Swiatek won five titles, including three in a row on clay -- Madrid, Rome and the French Open at Roland Garros.

This year, however, she has yet to reach a final, falling at the semi-final stage at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, Indian Wells and Madrid where last week, she was routed 6-1, 6-1 by Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.

"The match with Coco for sure wasn't good," said Swiatek.

"I had trouble focusing. I wasn't moving well. I think everything kind of built up at one moment. That's why the score was like that."

The 23-year-old, however, hit a pragmatic note with regard to the Gauff thrashing as she continues the build-up to the French Open where she will be looking for a fifth title in six years.

"It's just like one day," she said.

"You can't judge everything by it. I'm continuing the work that I've been doing. I trust the process. We'll see on the next one.

"I'm proud of the consistency. Still I feel I'm as consistent as I was previous years. But for sure I also want to win some tournaments. That's the goal."

P.Tamimi--SF-PST