–

MELBOURNE, Australia – Iga Swiatek, in search of her sixth career Grand Slam title but her first at the Australian Open, didn’t get the easiest of draws.

On Monday, she’ll open her campaign against Katerina Siniakova, the world No. 1 in doubles who’s also a consistent top-50 player in singles.

Not only that, with Aussie favorites and Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff also playing on Monday, she’s on the “third” court – John Cain Arena.

On the plus side, Rod Laver and Margaret Court arenas are fully ticketed; fans with grounds passes can get into some sections of John Cain Arena if they’re willing to queue up. That should help the atmosphere and the support for her.

(There’s a pretty great lineup on that court Monday, by the way: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and then Nick Kyrgios in the nightcap).

Here’s what it looked like before a packed house on Court 16 Monday, as she got ready. That court is right in the shadows of John Cain Arena.

The rest of Team Iga – with the notable exception of coach Wim Fissette – were fully kitted out and embracing the new colour scheme for the AO.

(We can reiterate that On has basically had the same kits since they ventured into the tennis apparel business. So it’s getting a little old. That said, personal preference would be that she wears those great shorts instead of the skort with the bunching-up pleats in the front. But we digress).

No luck in Melbourne

Swiatek has gotten past the round of 16 in Melbourne only once; in 2022, with a tremendous draw, she fell quickly to the surging Danielle Collins in the semifinals.

She made her debut in 2019, getting through three matches in qualifying and losing in the second round to the now-retired Camila Giorgi.

In 2020, she lost in the fourth round to the now-retired Anett Kontaveit. In 2021, she again fell in the fourth round to the now all-but-retired Simona Halep.

In 2023, No. 22 seed Elena Rybakina (who followed her on the practice court Monday) took her out in the fourth round and last year, Linda Niskova beat her in the third round.

Finalist in 2017 – sort of

Eight years ago (!!!) Swiatek made a final in Melbourne – the girls’ doubles final, where she and countrywoman Maja Chwalinska lost to the Canuckian team of Bianca Andreescu and Carson Branstine.

Here’s what the kids looked like back then.

It’s notable that Chwalinska, also 23, qualified for the Australian Open main draw last week for the first time in her career.

She’s been through it; this was her first trip to Australia since 2021; she lost in the first round of qualifying in both 2020 and 2021.

So maybe that’s an omen.