Roger Federer was seemingly very impressed by Iga Swiatek’s masterclass showcased at the United Cup. On Sunday, Swiatek teamed up with Hubert Hurkacz for a mixed doubles match at the United Cup. In the first set of their 6-3 6-4 win over Zhibek Kulumbayeva and Grigoriy Lomakin, Swiatek pulled off an astonishing around-the-net shot.
After the match, Swiatek shared a video of her shot and asked Federer: “Do you approve?” Federer noticed the video and responded: “That was crazy (exploding head emoji).”
That was crazy🤯🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/MTlC16Q9Hp — Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) January 1, 2023
Swiatek impressed Federer and Hurkacz
Swiatek and Hurkacz, the two top Polish tennis stars, were playing their first match as a duo.
After the match was over, Hurkacz took a moment to reflect on what Swiatek pulled off. “Iga’s shot behind the net was insane. She is playing really amazing, hitting the ball super hard and carrying me for the whole match so it was very nice.
January 1st and she already has the shot of the year so it is a pretty good start,” Hurkacz said of Swiatek’s magnificent shot. Meanwhile, Swiatek – who is usually focused on singles and doesn’t play doubles very often – said he very much enjoyed her first experience of playing mixed doubles with Hurkacz.
“It was amazing. It was the first time I had the opportunity to play with Hubi. When he serves, it’s the best feeling ever. I don’t have to do anything on the volleys, so I love it! He gives a lot of positive energy and I am the one who usually needs it,” Swiatek said of playing mixed doubles with Hurkacz.
In the past, Swiatek played mixed doubles on four occasions – every time with the same partner, Lukasz Kubot. Swiatek teamed up with Kubot three times at the Australian Open – they made the quarterfinal in 2020 while they exited the tournament in the round-of-16 in 2019 and 2021.
Also, Swiatek played mixed doubles with Kubot at the Tokyo Olympics – they were beaten in the quarterfinal. Swiatek and Hurkacz will probably attempt to play mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
