Iga Swiatek Miami Open injury absence 'might be a good thing for her tennis', reckons Mats Wilander

Iga Swiatek's absence from the Miami Open due to a rib injury «might be a good thing for her tennis», believes Mats Wilander. Swiatek lost comprehensively in the semi-finals of last week's Indian Wells to Elena Rybakina, and talked after that match of the problems she had experienced in coping with the muscle strain. Ad It looked doubtful she would compete in Miami, and that proved the case as she announced her withdrawal on Wednesday.

WTA Miami'A truly difficult call' — Swiatek out of Miami Open and BJK Cup with rib injury3 HOURS AGO In addition to this injury issue, Swiatek has had problems with her tennis too, losing twice to Elena Rybakina this year already, and also to Barbora Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula. Defeat is something the world No. 1 has been unaccustomed to in the last year, but Wilander thinks there is a reason.

«I think the explanation why Swiatek hasn't been winning as much this year as she did last year, it's because the players have figured out how to play her,» Wilander told Eurosport. «I think it started with Pegula in the United Cup in Sydney just before the Australian Open. Of course, it was continued by Rybakina in the Australian Open and then again continued by Rybakina in Indian Wells.

So I think that's the first thing. Carlos Alcaraz: I want to be one of the best in history — Players' Voice Djokovic has 'no regrets' at missing Indian Wells and Miami Open Repeat or refresh: Who is set to shine at the Miami Open? »And then the second thing, I'm glad that she's getting a time to take a break. I think it comes at a great time in a way — of course, nobody wants anybody to not feel 100% — but for her tennis, I think it might be a good thing.