Iga Swiatek will play her first match as world number one when she leads Poland in opposition to Romania inside the Billie Jean King Cup this weekend, determined to enhance her record on home floor

Swiatek, the first ever Pole to ascend to the top of the rankings, misplaced both singles fits she performed the ultimate time she appeared in the front of her own crowd in a 2019 play-off towards Ukraine.

“The remaining couple of years have shown that it’s now not smooth to play with your house crowd because it’s the same kind of stress you sense,” stated the 20-yr-vintage on Thursday who turned into nonetheless out of doors the top 60 3 years in the past.

“But for sure I am going to use my experience and the experience I had in Zielona Gora against Ukraine when we last played at home.”

She added: “I think this is going to be easier. I can focus more, take energy from the crowd. I am really excited.”

The tie in Radom, just 100km south from where Swiatek grew up, is one of seven qualifiers being played on Friday and Saturday.

The winners make it through to the BJK Cup finals later in the year.

Swiatek is on a 17-match win streak having captured titles in Doha, Indian Wells and Miami.

She starts the tie on Friday against Mihaela Buzarnescu, the world number 123 who hasn’t won a match since November.

With former number one and -time fundamental winner Simona Halep no longer playing, Romania’s pinnacle singles participant is Irina-Camelia Begu, ranked at sixty three.

She starts Friday’s proceedings against Magda Linette, considered one of three pinnacle a hundred gamers within the Polish squad.