In the world of sports, legacy is often a straight line—a son following a father onto the football pitch, a daughter picking up a racquet after a champion mother. For Iga Świątek, the world's former number one and a dominant force in women's tennis, the narrative of athletic inheritance is there, but it takes a fascinating and unexpected detour through the Han River and the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
NEW YORK – In a match that was far more than a battle for a quarterfinal spot, Amanda Anisimova authored the latest chapter in her remarkable comeback story. The American star defeated Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in a grueling fourth-round encounter, prevailing in a third-set tiebreak to secure her place in the US Open 2025 quarterfinals. The final scoreline reflected the intensity of the battle: 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 7-6(3).
Facing a dominant force like Iga Świątek is every player’s ultimate test. But what separates those who crumble from those who compete? In this high-level tennis breakdown, we analyze Alexandra Eala’s Madrid clash against Świątek—and reveal the proven tactics, mental frameworks, and technical adjustments that can help any player challenge the world’s best.
Most coaches tell underdogs, "Just play free!"—but that’s incomplete. Here’s what actually works: