Iga Swiatek’s relentless ability to crush her opponents has given her an aura that sends a shiver of fear down the spine of her opponents, according to British star Jodie Burrage.
Swiatek has a stinning record of winning sets 6-0, with her record of winning a stunning 22 sets 6-0 in the 2023 and she backed that up with 14 more sets won without the concession of a single game this season.
While she finished the year as world No 2, Burrage has told Tennis365 that players are wary of being the next victim of a 6-0 ‘bagel’ set dished out by Swiatek.
Speaking to Tennis365 with her clothing partners Penguin, the player who reached a career-high ranking of No 84 earlier this year has opened up on her experiences playing against the best players in the women’s game.
Burrage recorded her only win against an opponent ranked in the top ten when she beat Paula Badosa on a grass court at Eastbourne in 2022 and she has also faced top-ranked players Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka.
Breaking into the top 100 of the WTA Rankings was a fine achievement for Burrage before she was struck down by injuries and she has opened up on her experiences playing the top players in the game.
“They are different gravy,” said Burrage with a smile as she discussed her experiences with the game’s top players. “It feels like I can’t actually compare myself to them yet.
“When I played against Sabalenka in the second round of the US Open last year, I really wasn’t happy with how I played, but it was still only 6-3 6-2.
“I had a few break point chances and other opportunities. I wasn’t happy about how I hit my forehand in that match and yet I still managed to win games and create chances.
“After playing them, you do realise they have holes in their game, but they are very good.
“Iga (Swiatek) scares me. The way she bagels people, it scares me!
“I watch a lot of tennis now and that is something that has changed for me in recent years. I think it helps when you see what those guys do and how they play.
“So when I played Sabalenka at the US Open, it helped that I had watched her play a lot and knew what she would do.”
Burrage is also a fan of the men’s game, but she suggests women’s tennis has more appeal for one big reason.
“I watch the men’s game, but I actually find the women’s game more exciting,” she added. “I feel like in men’s tennis, it can be a bit samey with the big hitters and the big serves. We get more rallies in the women’s game.
“When you have a match-up like Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz, that is a popcorn match and you want to see them producing their amazing shots, but I probably enjoy watching the women’s game a little bit more.”
Burrage has used her protected ranking to enter the Australian Open next month and if she can start 2025 on a high, he ambition to break back into the top 100 of the WTA Rankings could become a reality.
