“Yeah, I like it,” Swiatek said, holding firm after a straight-sets victory at the 2026 Australian Open. “Honestly, people are going to criticize everything, so... I think it was great. I mean, it's kind of short. It's not like you're going to find some surprising things on it after you listened to it couple of times.
“The songs are catchy. That's what she wanted. That's what she said from the beginning. She achieved the goal she wanted. Every song is a hit on this album. But yeah, I guess you can find different stuff in art and music. If some people have different expectations and they look at an album like that, they will always find something to criticize.”
Asked to name her favorite track, the six-time Grand Slam champion unsurprisingly picked a song from the album’s stronger first half.
“Honestly, it's hard to pick because she keeps the level high. The whole album is kind of consistent. I like ‘Elizabeth Taylor,’ but I wouldn't say it's much higher in my rank than other in terms of the likability.”
Swiatek was consistent enough Monday night to outsteady an inspired Yuan Yue, outlasting the Chinese star to advance into the second round Down Under; her next opponent is Marie Bouzkova.
But the question remains: can Swiatek avoid the fate of Ophelia in Melbourne?
