Tennis star Iga Swiatek stunned fans after exercising with tape over her mouth leaving fans stunned by the bizarre display.
The 22-year-old world No. 1 left people wondering what was going on after she was spotted preparing for the Canadian Open.
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Pictures released from her training sessions leading up to the event showed the Pole had tape covering her mouth as she swung her racquet.
Swiatek then took it off at the end of practice – but fans asked online what the use of the strange maneuver was.
One fan tweeted that he was “very intrigued/confused” by this, while another simply replied and asked, “What?”
Tennis journalist Kamakshi Tandon wrote: “Many coaches will be very interested in this new training method.”
And another fan even joked: “I have to train for every meeting with my extended family.”
However, an apparent expert on the technique revealed on Twitter that Swiatek “trained nasal breathing.”
They said, “It’s a more efficient and effective method of delivering oxygen to the muscles of the body. Honestly, training like this is smart.”
“They strive for maximum endurance and knowing Iga, she will achieve it.”
And Swiatek then provided the explanation herself, although she admitted she wasn’t entirely sure what the full benefit would be.
“I find it harder to breathe just through my nose and my heart rate increases more easily… but I won’t be able to explain it properly because I’m not an expert,” Swiatek confirmed.
Swiatek is hoping to continue an impressive 2023 in Canada following her success at the French Open in June.
And just last week she won the Polish Open on home soil after beating Laura Siegemund 6-0, 6-1.
She received a first-round bye at the Canadian Open and will face an undisclosed opponent on Wednesday.
This story first appeared in The sun and has been republished with permission.
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