World No. 2 Iga Świątek is set to make her first appearance at the Korea Open, and she marked her arrival in Seoul with a warm message to fans on social media. The six-time Grand Slam champion will headline the WTA 500 event as the top seed, with the tournament scheduled from Sept. 15 to 21.
What Message Did Iga Świątek Send As She Arrived in South Korea?
After a demanding stretch on the North American hard courts, which saw her lift the trophy in Cincinnati and battle through singles and mixed doubles campaigns in New York, the 24-year-old is preparing for her blockbuster debut. She looks to rebound quickly from her quarterfinal exit against Amanda Anisimova at Flushing Meadows while also embracing the chance to experience a new culture and city.
The Polish star took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her first moments in the South Korean capital, posting a series of photos that included snapshots from her hard court practice sessions and a scenic capture of the Seoul skyline.
In her caption, Swiatek wrote: “Hello from Seoul! It’s super exciting to be for some time on tour and still be able to visit new countries and cities. Fighting jet lag starts now. ☺️😴”
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Coach Wim Fissette Sheds Light on Świątek’s Korea Open Stance With Injury in Play
Świątek’s coach, Wim Fissette, addressed her participation in the 2025 Korea Open as she recovers from a foot blister that hampered her training and performance at the US Open.
Speaking to Sport.PL, Fissette said the team considered skipping Seoul but agreed she would only compete if fully fit. He noted that Świątek received treatment after the US Open and later told him the foot issue was resolved, assuring she was ready to return.
“Yes, of course. We told ourselves we would only play in Seoul when Iga was 100 percent fit. After returning from New York, she went to the doctor, and on Saturday, I received a message from her: ‘I’ll be able to play tennis again from Tuesday or Wednesday, and Seoul won’t be a problem anymore.’ We didn’t want to risk her health; we knew she had to be 100 percent fit again,” Fissette said [translated from Polish].
In Seoul, Świątek received a bye into the second round, where she will face either Zhu Lin or Sorana Cîrstea.
