TAYLOR SWIFT ENGAGED | ' HOPEFULLY THIS ONE WILL STICK FOREVER': IGA SWIATEK REACTS TO ENGAGEMENT

For Iga Swiatek, the engagement news was as thrilling as her own record-breaking performance

Iga Swiatek's US Open victory was overshadowed by news of Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce. The tennis star, a devoted Swiftie, expressed her excitement for Swift, highlighting her long-standing admiration for the singer. Swiatek credited Swift's music with aiding her English learning and personal growth, even attending her 'Eras Tour' and receiving a handwritten note.

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek stormed into the second round of the US Open on Tuesday with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Colombia’s Emiliana Arango — but it was Taylor Swift’s engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce that dominated her post-match spotlight.

The Polish star, a self-confessed “Swiftie,” barely had time to leave Arthur Ashe Stadium before news of the pop icon’s engagement swept through Flushing Meadows. For Swiatek, the update was as thrilling as her own record-breaking performance, which saw her notch a 65th consecutive first-round win at WTA-level events, surpassing Monica Seles’ historic mark.

"I’m just happy for her, because she deserves the best," Swiatek told reporters, her face lighting up at the mention of Swift.

"Obviously she had a lot of boyfriends, so we know all about that. Hopefully this one will stick forever. Travis seems like a great guy. She seems super happy, so I’m happy for her. I wish them all the best."

— Tennis (@Tennis)

Swiatek’s devotion to Swift runs deep. The 24-year-old has often credited the singer’s music with helping her learn English and cope with the challenges of adolescence. After her French Open triumph in 2023, she even attended Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ concert in Liverpool — a win that earned her a handwritten note from Swift herself.

Revealing her journey as a fan since 2014, Swiatek said: "I just followed everything. I was following her, but also fan pages to see the updates. When the Reputation album came out, I’ve got to say I didn’t really like it that much. So I had a little break. But then in 2019, and when Folklore and Evermore were released during Covid, I started listening to Taylor again. It’s great. But I like Reputation now. Don’t worry."

She also hit back at Swift’s detractors, insisting: "I don’t get it, because she just makes our world better."

So intense was the focus on Swift that when one reporter requested to move on to a "non-Taylor question," Swiatek playfully retorted: "No."

The six-time Grand Slam champion now turns her attention back to tennis, with a second-round clash against the Netherlands’ Suzan Lamens.

- TOI Sports Desk

PLAYERS TO WIN FIRST FOUR GRAND SLAM FINALS

 

DJOKOVIČ HOLDS OFF FRITZ TO REACH AUSTRALIAN OPEN SEMIFINALS FOR THE 11

AP Photo 

 MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic is back at the stage of the Australian Open where he's never been beaten.

The 10-time champion held off Taylor Fritz 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in 3 3/4 hours on Tuesday to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the 11th time.

He's won all 10 semifinals he’s contested at Melbourne Park, and all 10 finals.

In his record-extending 48th Grand Slam semifinal, he’ll play No. 4-seeded Jannik Sinner or No. 5 Andrey Rublev. They started their quarterfinal at 10:42 p.m.

Djokovic has spent more time on court so far through five rounds than ever at Melbourne Park — more than 15 hours — but thinks he's still building into it. He's on a 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open — a tournament record he shared with his childhood inspiration, Monica Seles — so he should know.

The first game took 16 minutes and the first set lasted 1 hour, 24 minutes. Fritz got the first break of serve, and Djokovic said he was on the back foot at times until the third set.