Four-time grand slam winner Iga Swiatek says it took her time to learn how to deal with being the best player in the world, and she won't be putting too much pressure on herself heading into the Australian Open.
Swiatek is in Perth to compete at the mixed-teams United Cup, with her Polish outfit rated the favourites alongside defending champions the US.
The 22-year-old became the first Polish man or woman to reach the top of the pile in singles when she snared the world No.1 ranking in April, 2022.
Swiatek finished both 2022 and 2023 with the season-ending No.1 ranking, and she has grown into the role of being the hunted rather than the hunter.
"Even though my ranking at the end of the year was similar to 2022, this season was totally different," she said.
"There were lots of ups and downs and some struggles that we had to deal with.
"I feel more prepared for sure to deal with the pressure of being world No.1 this year than last year."
So, what is it like having the No.1 ranking?
"Well, it depends on the situation, my mood and mindset," Swiatek said.
"It can really be motivating and inspiring.
"There were plenty of tournaments where I really feel like I'm using that as an opportunity to have better confidence and to even have an impact on my opponents mentally a little bit.
"But also I had some tournaments where I felt like the pressure is pretty big.
"So I guess, as in life, there are going to be ups and downs.
"For now I'm really enjoying the fact that I actually did it last year, and I came back to be world No.1 at the end of the season, and I'm really proud of that."
Swiatek claimed the French Open crown in 2020, 2022 and 2023, as well as the 2022 US Open title.
Her best performance at the Australian Open was a semi-final appearance in 2022, and she doesn't want to overburden herself with pressure heading into the first slam of the year.
"I did semi-finals the year before (in 2022), and last year was fourth round," Swiatek said.
"I don't feel like I need to defend a lot.
"When you are a defending champion, obviously there is something else to the tournament. I feel like I can kind of take it easy.
"I haven't won the Australian Open yet, so I can only kind of look forward and try to achieve my goals."
Swiatek will team with men's world No.9 Hubert Hurkacz at the United Cup, with Poland's first match against Brazil on Saturday evening.
