Iron fist in a velvet glove — the Swiatek way

Serving it up: Swiatek has a superb kick serve. (Source: Getty Images)

Going all out: The aggression has been evident in Swiatek’s play this year. (Source: Getty Images)

In September 2020, Iga Swiatek was losing to an unheralded qualifier from The Netherlands, Arantxa Rus — a player ranked in the 70s, then and now — in the first round of the Italian Open. At a time when world tennis was slowly finding its feet amidst the ravages of a global pandemic, with the powers that be expectantly looking at a battery of top stars to lead the recovery, a Pole ranked just outside the top 50 — albeit a junior Wimbledon champion — was not on the radar.