Why 'lights out' Iga Swiatek is ‘dialled in’ to win Wimbledon as former star Andy Roddick explains Pole's key changes on grass

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Iga Swiatek appears to have rediscovered her mojo at Wimbledon after easing her way into the fourth round. The Pole is yet to win a first career title on grass, but that could have changed by the end of this week. Swiatek's performances on the surface have impressed 2003 US Open winner Andy Roddick, who would not be surprised to see world No. 4 go all the way this year.

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Andy Roddick highlighted Iga Swiatek’s ominous form at Wimbledon and believes the former world No. 1 is showing all the credentials of an eventual winner at SW19.

The 24-year-old has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, but has made relatively light work of Polina Kudermetova, Caty McNally and Danielle Collins on her way to the fourth round.

She faces Denmark’s Clara Tauson on Monday, and Roddick spoke glowingly about Swiatek’s improvement on grass after powering past Collins in the third round.

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"Iga, I don’t know how it looked on TV, Iga was lights out. Iga’s in this tournament to win it, I’m just telling you," said Roddick on his Served podcast.

"She’s dialled in. Match-ups, that’s a tough match-up on grass, like on paper with the ‘Danimal’ and someone that hits hard and flat through the court.

"Iga’s serve, she was thumping it today, 118, 116. I don’t remember her serving that big before. Moving the second serve around, throwing the toss up and like, getting someone to check and then catching it and kind of… but she was in full flight today.

"And not trying to run around forehands, taking the backhand on the bounce. She just looks way more comfortable on grass this year. The other years, you feel like, 'Okay, she’s the best player in the world, by far the best player in the world on clay, but looks a little awkward on grass'.

"And this year it’s like, ‘Oh, she might not be the best player in the world on those surfaces this year’, but for some reason, she’s settled a little bit on grass.

"Her serve looked great, movement looked great, ball flight wasn’t super toppy and loopy, was getting through the court."

Swiatek’s form has come under scrutiny in recent months, and she headed into Wimbledon with a defeat to Jessica Pegula in the Bad Homburg final.

The five-time Grand Slam winner is chasing down what would be a first title since winning Roland-Garros last year.

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Her confidence appears to be growing as the tournament progresses, with the player admitting she is learning to love grass after her most recent victory against Collins.

"I was just in the zone, you know," she told the BBC. "I knew what I wanted to play and I knew I needed to be brave.

"You can't let Danielle play her winners, you know.

"Yeah [I am learning to love grass courts], honestly, it is much more fun this year.

"I had some practices where the ball was listening to me, which is pretty new on grass.

"I am just looking for that feeling during the match as well.

"For sure today was a good day, for sure it is giving me confidence and honestly, it is a new experience feeling good on grass."

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