LONDON — Defending champion Iga Swiatek said she is taking confidence from her consistency rather than focusing solely on results as she prepares for a third-round Wimbledon showdown against Alex Eala.
Swiatek has overcome Taylor Townsend and former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova to reach the last 32, successfully navigating a demanding opening week while carrying the expectations that come with defending her title at the All England Club.
The world No. 3 acknowledged that she naturally tends to think about results but has worked to shift her focus toward the process, believing that mindset has helped sustain her success across the Grand Slam tournaments.
“I am a person that tends to focus on results, so sometimes it’s not so good,” Swiatek said in an interview with Tennis Channel. “That’s why I’m constantly trying to switch to thinking about the process, and I think it’s better, because in tennis you can’t really control everything.”
Swiatek became the only woman to reach at least the third round at every Grand Slam tournament during the 2020s, a statistic she said reflects her ability to stay mentally prepared from the opening match regardless of her opponent’s ranking.
“I don’t take anything for granted,” she said. “I’m ready from the first match. In Grand Slams, surprises happen, so I’m ready for any kind of challenge from the beginning of the tournament.”
The six-time Grand Slam champion added that building momentum early in a major remains essential to lifting the trophy.
“You need to get through these matches to then have a chance to raise the trophy,” she said.
Swiatek also reached another career milestone with her victory over Pliskova, becoming only the fifth active woman to record at least 20 main-draw wins at each of the four Grand Slam events. She joined Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina and Madison Keys in achieving the feat.
Her Grand Slam record now includes 26 victories at the Australian Open, 43 at the French Open, 24 at the U.S. Open and 20 at Wimbledon.
Awaiting Swiatek in the third round is rising Filipina star Alex Eala, who has enjoyed another breakthrough run at Wimbledon after reaching the tournament’s third round for the first time.
The pair have split their two previous meetings, with Eala stunning Swiatek at the 2025 Miami Open before the Pole responded with victory in Madrid. Saturday’s encounter will mark their first meeting on grass, adding another chapter to an emerging rivalry.
