Avowed Taylor Swift super-fan Iga Swiatek breezed through her US Open first round match on Tuesday, offering congratulations to the pop star on her engagement to Travis Kelce.
Swiatek had scarcely left the Arthur Ashe Stadium following her 6-1, 6-2 victory over Emiliana Arango when news of Swift and Kelce’s engagement reached Flushing Meadows in New York.
The 24-year-old Polish world number two, considered a favorite for her second US Open title, is known for her devotion to Swift’s music. She has shared that the singer’s music helped her learn English and navigate her teenage years.
Swiatek attended Swift’s lucrative ‘Eras Tour’ last year, following her French Open win, which earned her a handwritten note from Swift.
In Swiatek’s post-match press conference, Swift’s engagement dominated the discussion, with the first nine questions from journalists focusing on it.
“I’m just happy for her, because she deserves the best,” Swiatek said. “Obviously she had a lot of boyfriends, so we know all about that. So hopefully this one will stick forever. Travis seems like a great guy. She seems super happy, so I’m happy for her. I wish them all the best,” she added.
Swiatek detailed her credentials as a “Swiftie”—a term for Swift’s dedicated fans—revealing she became a fan in 2014. “I just followed everything,” Swiatek said. “I was following her, but also some fan pages to see the updates.
“When the ‘Reputation’ album came out, I’ve got to say I didn’t really like it that much. So I had a little break.
“But then in 2019 and when ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ were released during Covid, I started listening to Taylor again. It’s great. But I like ‘Reputation’ now. Don’t worry.”
Swiatek expressed confusion over the “hate” directed at Swift. “I don’t get it, because she just makes our world better,” she said.
When a reporter requested to ask a “non-Taylor question”, Swiatek jokingly replied: “No.”
Swiatek’s win on Tuesday made her the first woman in history to win 65 consecutive WTA-level first round games, surpassing Monica Seles’ previous record of 64.
The six-time Grand Slam singles champion, who won in New York in 2022, will face the Netherlands’ Suzan Lamens in the second round.
