Iga Swiatek records a special partnership with Casper Ruud at the US Open.

Iga Swiatek is gearing up for an exciting challenge at the Canadian Open, where she aims to secure a WTA 1000 title that has eluded her thus far. The Polish tennis player, currently ranked number 8 in the world, will reunite with Norwegian Casper Ruud in mixed doubles, following their memorable run to the final at last year's US Open. This return to hard court competition comes at a crucial time, especially after her early exit at Wimbledon.

During the press conference, Swiatek shared that the experience in mixed doubles has brought a new dynamic to her game, stating, “I think it’s a nice change because it’s a different kind of energy on the court and can bring a bit of freshness.” She emphasized that, even after a demanding period in Cincinnati, the thrill of playing alongside Ruud was revitalizing. Together, they defeated strong combinations, including Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, but ultimately lost in the final to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

The six-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged that while the mixed doubles experience was not direct preparation for the singles tournament, it provided her with a new perspective on the game: “I think it really helped me to have that freshness and mix it up a bit because we’re playing the same types of tournaments throughout the year.” The competition in Toronto represents a new opportunity for Swiatek, who reached the semifinals at this event in 2023 and is now seeking her first title of the 2026 season.

The tournament in Toronto also marks a reunion with Alexandra Eala, a player who recently eliminated Swiatek at Wimbledon. The two tennis players had faced each other before, at the 2025 edition of the Miami Open, where Eala achieved a notable victory. Swiatek recalled that, before they became rivals on the tour, they had crossed paths at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she gave a graduation speech, and Eala was among the graduates.

Preparing for her first match at the Canadian Open, Iga Swiatek will face the winner of the match between Sara Bejlek and Xiyu Wang, with the intention of regaining confidence and giving new momentum to her season. The Polish player, as the seventh seed, is determined to leave behind the disappointment of Wimbledon and seek new glory in hard court competitions.