From Grass Court Struggles to Quarterfinal Triumph

Before this year, Iga Swiatek's relationship with the Wimbledon grass courts was strained. Despite the tournament's prestige and the legendary status of past champions who cherished it, Swiatek hadn't found success there. She seemed eager to leave the All England Club after her previous five visits, often following her French Open title runs.

Wimbledon was the only major where she hadn't reached at least the semi-finals. However, this year marked a shift. On Monday, the Polish eighth seed demonstrated her growing comfort on grass, securing a quarterfinal spot with a decisive victory over Clara Tauson.

Swiatek expressed her newfound enjoyment of London, acknowledging that she feels better off the court when she's performing well on it. This positive feeling was initially absent in her match against Tauson, as she struggled with her serve, dropping her serve twice early on.

However, from a 3-1 deficit in the first set, Swiatek rallied, winning eight of the next nine games. She attributed her success to a growing understanding of how to play on grass, emphasizing her commitment to learning and improving regardless of the results. She noted that this year felt different, with less pressure and a greater sense of comfort.

The transition from clay to grass has been a challenge for Swiatek. She's had to adapt her game, abandoning her signature sliding technique, which is effective on clay but less so on grass. She's been observing other players, like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, to learn how to trust the surface.

Now, with more experience and confidence, Swiatek believes she can perform well on grass. She has a strong chance of reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time. Tauson even acknowledged Swiatek's formidable form, suggesting she's nearly impossible to beat.