"Swiatek is a great number one, but I wouldn't want that job"

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Of all the statements I heard in the hundreds of interviews conducted, the one that always seemed hardest for me to believe was understanding that there were professional tennis players who didn't dream of reaching the top, who didn't strive to be the best at what they do, who were content with being in the background. Sloane Stephens, in her latest interview with Caroline Garcia on the podcast Tennis Insider Club, acknowledges that this is a reality as real as life itself. It was always said of the American that she had the skills to reach where she wanted to, but we forget that each person chooses their path, accepting a greater or lesser level of sacrifice.

"There's nothing wrong with not being Novak Djokovic, not everyone can be the world number 1," confides the Plantation tennis player, champion of the 2017 US Open and former world number 3 during that period. "In our case, I believe that Iga Swiatek is an amazing player, it's great to be the number 1, but I wouldn't want that job. There are certain people who do aspire to that, and precisely this is what makes tennis such a unique sport," confirms the American, not hesitating to state that she herself belongs to that group of athletes who can find happiness without needing to aim for the maximum within their discipline.

"Without a doubt, this is a good job to stick with," asserts Sloane, a professional since 2011. "Obviously, tennis also involves traveling many weeks, everything in the day-to-day is very hectic, which can make everything complicated and stressful. Every week, there are many adversities that people don't see, but of course, in what other job would you get paid to put on a tennis outfit and play a match broadcast live on television?," humorously evaluates the current WTA number 75, an absolute reference over the last decade.

THE SECRET TO MAINTAINING ILLUSION

It's those adversities that have often led Sloane to show fatigue, apathy, and a certain lack of enthusiasm in some official matches, devoid of energy or simply lacking motivation. It's not easy to maintain that energy for over ten years, but the Florida player herself admits to having found the secret formula to maintain the drive each season, feeling the least impact possible from the passage of time and the wear and tear, both physical and mental.

"This year, I set out to go to new places and see new things, do new things. For example, this season I aimed to travel to Asia to see the Great Wall," she comments through an example that allows us to understand her story a little better. "In the end, I feel that has helped me know what to expect, for me, it would be terrible to have a desk job for 12 years. Tennis players are lucky to have the option to travel and do so many incredible things, although it all boils down to going to the same tournaments and cities. The key is to make it fun and exciting," concludes the eight-time individual champion.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Swiatek es una Nº1 genial, pero yo no querría ese trabajo”