There is no hyperbole, the Iga Swiatek 2022 season was one of the finest ever witnessed.
Two Grand Slam titles stole the headlines along with a 37-match winning streak, the longest on the WTA tour for 25 years.
It’s a cliché, it sounds so simple, but it’s a case of ‘if it ain't broke don't fix it’ for the top seed at Melbourne Park.
“I would say the differences are going to be smaller,” said the Pole, reflecting on improvements she’s seeking in 2023.
“The greatest players that are consistent throughout their whole careers, I don't think Novak [Djokovic] changed a lot in his game since few years ago.
DRAW: Australian Open 2023 men's singles
DRAW: Australian Open 2023 women's singles
“I think it matters to be able to just be consistent with the best game you have. It worked, so why would I change a lot?”
The 21-year-old ignited her campaign by guiding Poland into the United Cup semifinals with three singles victories, prior to a 6-2 6-2 defeat by in-form Jessica Pegula.
Over to Melbourne and the world No.1 has made sure she’s recalibrated and reset in the hope of surpassing a semifinal showing at Australian Open 2022.
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“I had pretty solid practices, so I'm happy to be here and I'm happy that I have a long time to get the conditions and get the feeling of these courts,” said the three-time major winner. “But I also enjoyed my time off. So, it's a good combination.
“This is the first Grand Slam of the season, which makes it a little bit easier in terms of physicality because we should be more fresh. I always felt like I'm more ready for these longer matches and I can really push myself even harder.”
It’s a promising sign for the Pole’s legion of dedicated fans because Swiatek has been drawn a first round worthy of a second week ticket.
Wimbledon breakout Jule Niemeier led Swiatek by a set and a break in the US Open fourth round last September, before the world No.1 rose through the gears for a 2-6 6-4 6-0 escape en route to her third Grand Slam trophy.
“For sure, Jule, we played on US Open, and you saw how intense that match was, how tough. It's not going to be easy,” added Swiatek, on a 14-1 success rate in clearing major first hurdles.
“But on other hand, any match in Grand Slam is always more intense and more stressful than other tournaments. I'll be ready for it.
“It's nice also that we played not so long ago so I can take a lot from that match. Now I know how her ball feels on the racquet, she has the same. So we'll see.”
There was a heartwarming reunion between the two latest WTA world No.1s on Saturday, as 2022 Australian Open champion Ash Barty joined Swiatek and a plethora of stars on court for Kids Tennis Day.
Swiatek has been very open about her admiration for the green and gold legend. Perhaps she can take a few pages out of the Barty book to bolster her extensive all-court armoury.
“She gave me a lot in terms of my motivation and my willingness to practise even more and to get my tennis to have more variety on court,” said Swiatek, who has clearly checked out Barty’s recently released memoirs.
“When I played against her, I felt like she just has all these different game styles and slice. Even her book she says she has five types of slice. I don't know how that's possible. I still haven't figured out only one type!
“I have huge respect for Ash. She really gave me huge motivation at the beginning of last season to get even better. I'm kind of grateful for that.”