Iga Świątek has made it clear that she does not want to know who is in her draw for the 2026 Australian Open, as she prefers to focus on her game one match at a time and progress step by step.
Recently, when a reporter asked her about thoughts on possibly facing top players like Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, and others later in the tournament, she remained steadfast in her decision not to look ahead at her potential opponents.
Iga Świątek Refuses To Hear About Potentially Facing Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova in Her Draw at Australian Open
Ahead of the 2026 Australian Open, Świątek represented Poland at the United Cup. There, she defeated Eva Lys and Suzan Lamens in the group stage matches. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Maya Joint but lost to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic in the semifinals and final, respectively.
During a pre-tournament press conference in Melbourne, Świątek mentioned that she had not looked at the draw and asked reporters not to spoil it for her, expressing her desire to be “surprised” by each match.
“I’m not looking at the draw. So, thanks for the heads up. Um, no, it’s not a joke. I’m literally not doing that. So please don’t spoil it for me. I want to be surprised after every match,” Świątek said.
Recently, while speaking to Sony Sports Network, the former World No. 1 was again asked about the possibility of facing Rybakina, Anisimova, Anna Kalinskaya, and other opponents during her Australian Open campaign. In response, Świątek repeatedly reiterated that she does not want to know about the draw.
“I don’t wanna know. I don’t wanna know. I don’t wanna know. I am not looking at the draws,” Świątek said.
Not thinking about the draw. Thinking about food 😋
Iga Świątek in a relaxed mood ahead of her #AO2026 clash tomorrow! ☺️
Watch her in action at the Happy slam LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #AustralianOpen #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/JRUyq7Cn5G
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) January 18, 2026
It is worth noting that, Świątek has faced Rybakina 11 times on the WTA Tour, winning six of those encounters. On the other hand, she has played Anisimova three times, winning only once, which was in the final of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
Who Will Iga Świątek Face at the 2026 Australian Open 1R?
Świątek is seeded second at the 2026 Australian Open and will begin her campaign against qualifier Yuan Yue in the first round. Yuan secured her spot in the main draw by winning her matches at the qualifiers.
In the first qualifying round, Yuan defeated Louisa Chirico with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. She then eliminated María Lourdes Carlé in the second qualifying round, winning 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4. Yuan clinched her place in the main draw of the Melbourne Major by triumphing over Tamara Zidanšek, winning 6-3, 6-1 in the final qualifying round.
Świątek and Yue have faced each other once before on the WTA Tour, in the second round of the 2025 China Open, where Świątek, a former World No. 1, won decisively with a score of 6-0, 6-3.
The winner of the first-round match between Świątek and Yue at the 2026 Australian Open will advance to face either Marie Bouzková or Renata Zarazúa in the second round of the tournament.
