Iga Swiatek can win at 2024 US Open but ‘don’t discount Naomi Osaka’, says Martina Navratilova

Previewing the US Open, 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova said Polish world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has all the tools to capture a second title in New York. Swiatek comes into the final major of 2024 in indifferent form, with Aryna Sabalenka the strong favourite to lift the crown. Swiatek begins her quest for a sixth Grand Slam against qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova on Tuesday.

Martina Navratilova insists Iga Swiatek can win the US Open as the Pole prepares to begin her quest for a second title in New York.

The world No. 1 said her “expectations are not so high compared to last year” as she attempts to remove some of the pressure she puts on herself, especially in the biggest tournaments. iga Swiatek won at Flushing Meadows in 2022 but lost in the last 16 last year and comes into the 2024 edition in indifferent form.

She claimed a fourth French Open crown in June before being knocked out in the third round at Wimbledon by Yulia Putintseva and then losing in the Olympic semi-finals to eventual champion Qinwen Zheng.
In her previous outing, she was well beaten in the last four by Aryna Sabalenka, who is the early favourite to reign in New York.

But Navratilova believes she is the player most capable of dealing with Sabalenka’s devastating power.
Asked by the WTA if Swiatek could claim a second US Open in three years, 18-time Grand Slam champion Navratilova said: “Of course she can. I mean, for Iga, the only person who can really hit her off the court is Sabalenka. [Elena] Rybakina, maybe on grass, but not on hard courts.

“Iga’s forehand on the hard court really pays off, so that levels the playing field against Rybakina. Against Sabalenka, Iga has better tools to deal with her, to neutralise her, than anybody else.
“She’s been working on her serve, getting more free points on that. I think the Olympics was just way too much pressure because she was such a favourite on the clay, and that can play games with your brain.
“So I wouldn’t worry about the Olympic result that much.”

‘I wasn’t aware’ – Djokovic equals Federer record with comfortable win at US Open
‘Didn’t play my best’ – Sabalenka powers into round two at US Open but has another gear to find
Swiatek faces qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round and could take on another in the second round after being dealt a favourable draw that has her on the opposite side to both Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff