But she has started 2025 strongly, with Swiatek helping Poland to a 2-1 victory over Norway at the United Cup.

Swiatek trained with Sabalenka in the off-season, but she is now in game-mode for the team competition in Sydney.

Her teammate Hubert Hurkacz lost his singles clash with Casper Ruud, with Swiatek enacting revenge by beating Malene Helgo.

Iga Swiatek wows tennis fans vs Casper Ruud at the United Cup

The two Polish stars then combined to beat Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri and secure a 2-1 group stage triumph.

During the crucial tiebreak, the WTA number two went toe-to-toe with the ATP number six in a thrilling rally, with Swiatek edging out Ruud for a superb point.

READ MORE: Andy Murray’s former coach reacts after Iga Swiatek accused of being the most unlikeable WTA number one ever

Needless to say, many tennis fans were left very impressed by the former world number one, with one writing on X: “She is insane.”

A second said: “Iga Swiatek is so good… she can easily play in ATP,” with a third saying: “This was the turning point! Amazing from Iga.”

Other impressed tennis fans commented: “Year ago [Alexander] Zverev, now Ruud,” and “She’s one of a kind.”

And further praise arrived: “Stunning. There is the reason we love United Cup, there is the reason we love Iga Swiatek, there is the reason we love tennis at all”.

Iga Swiatek using United Cup to prepare for 2025 Australian Open

Swiatek has, of course, been distracted by matters off the court in recent times, having served a ban for testing positive for banned substance trimetazidine.

Forced to miss a period in the latter stages of the WTA season, she lost her number one ranking to Sabalenka.

But Swiatek now looks like herself again on the court, having taken part in the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi before making the trip to Australia.

READ MORE: Iga Swiatek reacts with four words after her Madrid final v Aryna Sabalenka is voted WTA Match of the Year

Team success with Poland will now be on her agenda, but perhaps a strong run at the 2025 Australian Open is top of her list of goals for the near future.

Sabalenka should, however, prove difficult to get past in Melbourne, with the world number one chasing a third successive title.

But Swiatek can get in the best shape possible by helping Poland to success at the United Cup, with the Czech Republic up next in Group B.

She is set to take on Karolina Muchova in Sydney as Hurkacz meets Tomas Machac, with an intriguing doubles clash involving the quartet also on the cards.

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