World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has been in high demand throughout the first week in Indian Wells, as she prepares to embark on her BNP Paribas Open title defense.
The three-time Grand Slam winner is facing down one of the toughest stretches of the season during the Sunshine Double, as she was also the winner at last year’s Miami Open. The Doha champion and Dubai finalist has 2,000 points to defend throughout four weeks in March—and the Pole has been up for the challenge, if her practice and training posts on social media are anything to go by.
“Peaceful mornings, a lot of work done every single day, beautiful landscape… So, so good to be back in tennis paradise!” she shared in a Tweet over the weekend.
But Swiatek is all about work-life balance, and the 21-year-old has also been seen in good spirits and enjoying the time with her tight-knit team:
Before the tournament kicked off, Swiatek and fellow 2022 winner Taylor Fritz were presented with their champion’s mural.
The much-loved Indian Wells tradition has commemorated each year’s victories in a custom tile artwork by Mark Sullivan since 2013.
Swiatek also showed off her soccer skills at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden lawn, the go-to spot for players to warm up or just lounge around—and for fans to get an up-close look at their faves in a relaxed environment.
Her footwork caught the eye of fans and photographers, and even earned the approval of FC Barcelona player Robert Lewandowsky, Poland’s national team hero:
