Women’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek went undercover during her teammates’ mixed doubles clash at the World Tennis League in Dubai.
During the first match, with her Kites teammates Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sania Mirza down 5-4, Swiatek seized a Hawks’ shirt and snuck over to the bench of the opposing team of Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina.
When she got there though, she was soon left red-faced when she realised neither was speaking English and her efforts to listen in had been foiled.
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While the conversation was not picked up on court-side microphones, Swiatek could be heard – once she had made her presence known – telling them to “speak English” so she could overhear.
After eventually losing the first set 7-5, the Kites fought back in the second to win it 6-3, before losing the third set tiebreak 10-5.
In the following match, Swiatek cruised through her singles tie against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkov in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
The Pole said she was using the exhibition tournament as a gauge for her Australian Open preparation.
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“These matches are important … but it’s pretty hard because we’re also practising on different courts so it’s a good challenge to how I have to adapt,” she said.
“I’m happy I’m through, this match was pretty tight with a lot of moments that could have gone either way, so I’m pretty happy I used my chances in those important moments.”
The hit out was also Pavlyuchenkov’s return to tennis having spent much of 2022 on the sidelines with a knee injury.
“I feel like I’m playing good even right now and I can do well,” she said.
“But you never know, because I haven’t played for more than half a year, and basically this year I only played three tournaments.
“So who knows, I don’t know what to expect… I just want to enjoy this.”
Pavlyuchenkov’s competitive return will come at the Adelaide International.
Auger-Aliassime backed up his opening mixed doubles win with a gruelling 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (8-6) win over Dominic Thiem.
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