Champions Corner: In Rome, Iga Swiatek drives off with the Dirty Double

2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova joins the podcast from the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix as she rebuilds her season after injury and illness sidelined her in the spring. 

Marta Kostyuk will always be an emotional person and player. But in 2024, the 21-year-old Ukrainian has found a way to make peace with it. The result? A career-best season full of outstanding milestones. Kostyuk joined the podcast during her run to the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix to explain how she's been able to stay grounded. 

Iga Swiatek isn't one to take a backseat to anyone, but after becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to sweep the titles in Madrid and Rome, the World No.1 was happy to make an exception. Swiatek joins the podcast from the backseat of a BMW after winning her third Internazionali BNL d'Italia to detail her ability to adapt, evolve and improve. 

As the Hologic WTA Tour winds through the clay season, Maria Sakkari joins the podcast to discuss the realities of life as a touring professional. From reviewing invoices to enduring daily performance reviews, sometimes a job is still just a job.

How'd she do that? Iga Swiatek isn't entirely sure. The World No.1 joins the podcast to discuss her incredible match-point-saving win over Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Mutua Madrid Open title and 20th Hologic WTA Tour title overall. 

Taylor Townsend isn't here for any asterisks or qualifiers next to her name. The fan-favorite American joins the podcast in Miami to discuss the challenges of living a full and balanced life as a professional tennis player. 

From a prodigious junior career to World No.2, Spain's Paula Badosa has been through it all. Now, as she plots her comeback from a serious back injury, she joins the podcast to discuss the struggle to get back where she belongs.

At just 21 years old, Zheng Qinwen started her season by becoming the first Chinese player to make a Grand Slam final since her idol, Li Na. But she's not resting on her laurels. Zheng joins the podcast to discuss her preternatural confidence and how she's keeping her feet planted firmly on the ground. 

Katie Boulter's hard work is paying off. The top-ranked Brit picked up her second career title at the Cymbiotika San Diego Open in February and boosted her to a new career-high ranking at No.27. As she looks to build on that momentum during the clay season, Boulter joined the podcast to discuss why everything is coming together for her now.

Danielle Collins couldn't dream up a better farewell tour after her stunning run to the biggest title of her career at the Miami Open. After announcing her decision to retire at the end of this season, Collins is already having one of the best seasons of her career. She joins the podcast after her emotional win to reflect on her bare-knuckled 10-year journey to become a WTA 1000 champion.