Iga Swiatek, the 24-year-old Polish tennis star, has faced a turbulent 2025, marked by a dip in form that saw her relinquish the World No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka and slide to No. 8 in the WTA standings. In a candid interview with a Polish media outlet, Swiatek addressed her struggles, revealing a moment of deep frustration after losing her top ranking. “However, when I came back in February after the Australian Open, I actually had a moment when I felt a lot of bitterness about how I lost that ranking,” she confessed, offering a glimpse into the emotional toll of her challenging season. Despite this, Swiatek firmly denied rumors of an extended break from tennis, emphasizing her commitment to pushing forward as she prepares for the grass-court season and the upcoming Wimbledon Championships, set to begin on June 30, 2025.
Swiatek’s 2025 season has been a stark contrast to her dominant years, with a 32-10 record and no titles since her last triumph at Roland Garros in 2024. Her semifinal loss to Sabalenka at this year’s French Open, where she fell 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0, ended her 26-match winning streak on the Paris clay, a surface where she had earned the moniker “Queen of Clay.” The defeat was particularly stinging, compounded by a controversial moment when Swiatek felt unfairly treated by the chair umpire’s refusal to inspect a mark during the match. “I want him to come down, but he didn’t. So I don’t think that was fair, especially when he came down, like, every time Aryna asked him to,” she said, highlighting her frustration. The loss, coupled with earlier setbacks like an emotional defeat to Coco Gauff in Madrid, where she was seen crying on court, fueled speculation about her mental and physical state.
Rumors swirled in May that Swiatek might skip the grass season, including Wimbledon, to take an extended break and recharge for the US Open. Reports suggested she was grappling with a toxic environment, exacerbated by personal challenges, including the loss of her grandfather before the Madrid Open. However, Swiatek has quashed these claims, asserting her desire to stay in the game. “I don’t feel the need to take a break. I prefer to keep going and build my process; tennis is very demanding and maybe I’ll skip a couple of tournaments to come back with renewed energy, but I don’t want to take a long break to live differently,” she stated. Her focus is now on adapting to grass, a surface where she has historically struggled, never advancing past the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Swiatek’s work with her new coach, Wim Fissette, has been pivotal in her efforts to regain form. An early exit against Danielle Collins in Rome provided an unexpected opportunity to address weaknesses. “The positive effects were seen,” Swiatek noted, reflecting on how the loss allowed her to confront aspects of her game she disliked. With Fissette’s guidance, she aims to carry the same mindset she displayed at Roland Garros into other tournaments. “I want to play other tournaments with the same attitude as in Paris,” she said, signaling a shift toward a more resilient approach. Her collaboration with psychologist Daria Abramowicz has also been crucial, helping her process defeats and manage the pressure of expectations.
The tennis world has rallied around Swiatek, with former No. 1 Jimmy Connors urging her to ignore “outside voices” and focus on her strengths. “Once someone has reached World No. 1, the desire to return never fades,” Connors said, expressing confidence in her ability to reclaim her spot. Meanwhile, Swiatek’s upcoming mixed doubles debut with Casper Ruud at the 2025 US Open has sparked excitement. “He’s a great person. He also inspires me, like he is so humble and so nice and he is a true gentleman,” she said of Ruud, praising his recent Madrid title run. This new venture could provide a refreshing outlet amid her singles challenges.
As Swiatek gears up for the Bad Homburg Open and Wimbledon, where she is seeded seventh with +800 odds, she faces a wide-open field led by Sabalenka (+250), Elena Rybakina (+500), and Gauff (+500). Despite her struggles, Swiatek’s 87% win rate on clay and 79% on hard courts underscore her potential to rebound. Her candid reflections reveal a player grappling with setbacks but determined to evolve. “I’m very happy with my life,” she affirmed, dispelling notions of a prolonged hiatus. With the tennis world watching, Swiatek’s journey toward rediscovering her top form promises to be a compelling narrative at Wimbledon and beyond.
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