Iga Swiatek's Australian Open 2R opponent Rebecca Sramkova shares her true feelings about facing the Pole (Exclusive)

It can't get any bigger for Rebecca Sramkova now that she's in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open and will play against the World No. 2 Iga Swiatek on Thursday, January 16.

Sramkova, the World No. 49, made her first main draw appearance at the Majors in 2017, losing in the first round of the Australian Open. However, she couldn't qualify for the big stage till the 2022 French Open (lost in the first round). In 2024, the Slovak registered two more first-round appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon Championships.

Sramkova's career thus far has been marred heavily by injuries as she has nursed problems in her back, shoulder, and abs. She notably suffered a stress fracture in her leg in 2022.

Sramkova defeated US' Katie Volynets 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round at Melbourne Park's Court 8 on Monday to confirm her Grand Slam second-round debut. On Wednesday, she fulfilled her doubles duty alongside Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova and the duo managed to score a 6-2, 7-5 win against the Chinese pair of Wang Yafan and Jiang Xinyu.

Following the win, Sramkova joined Sportskeeda for an exclusive chat at the Australian Open and shared her true feelings about preparing for her first on-court meeting with Iga Swiatek, among many other things.

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"I’ll try to enjoy that moment: Rebecca Sramkova about playing against Iga Swiatek in 2R

Rebecca Sramkova (Getty)

Excerpts from the interview....

Sportskeeda: A good win in the doubles today, how are you feeling?

Sramkova: Bit of a surprise for us… I don’t usually play doubles but it was good to win.

Sportskeeda: Does playing doubles help?

Sramkova: Yeah I mean, if I play doubles, I don't need to practice the day before and it’s good when we win.

Sportskeeda: You made your Grand Slam debut in 2017, bit of a rough patch after that but you've been more consistent lately. What have you changed?

Rebecca Sramkova: Umm, I changed coach [now with Milan Martinec] two years ago and less injuries. I used to get injured more in the past. So yeah!

Sportskeeda: You have the match against Iga Swiatek tomorrow. How are you preparing for that?

Rebecca Sramkova: Yes, it’s a big match, on a big court [Rod Laver Arena]. It’s good to go as an underdog, people don’t expect too much from you. I’ll try to enjoy that moment with Iga Swiatek.

Sportskeeda: Do you have any goals for 2025?

Rebecca Sramkova: Umm… staying healthy and remaining inside Top 100.

Sportskeeda: Top 100? You’re in Top 50...

Rebecca Sramkova: Yeah but in tennis, anything can happen, it changes quickly so Top 100 for now.