Russian Ex-Pro Issues Grim Verdict on Iga Swiatek’s 2025 Slam Chances After Disappointing Mid-Season Finish
The 2024 tennis season has been one filled with ups and downs for many players, but for world number one Iga Świątek, the year ended with a sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead. While the Polish star continues to dominate in some respects, her performance in the second half of the 2024 season raised questions about her ability to maintain that dominance in the long term, particularly as the 2025 Grand Slam season approaches.
Świątek, who has been the undisputed leader of the WTA circuit for several years, entered 2024 with high expectations. Her impressive consistency, powerful baseline game, and ability to thrive on various surfaces made her one of the most feared players on tour. However, as the mid-year mark came, it became clear that Świątek’s form had started to slip. A series of unexpected losses, including some at key events leading up to the Grand Slam tournaments, left fans and analysts wondering whether the 22-year-old could continue her reign at the top of women’s tennis.
One of the most critical assessments of Świątek’s 2024 season came from former Russian tennis professional turned analyst, Elena Dementieva. The two-time Olympic medalist, who had a decorated career and was known for her astute tennis insights after retiring, weighed in on Świątek’s recent struggles and issued a grim prediction for her chances at the 2025 Grand Slam events. Dementieva, who had observed Świątek’s growth over the years and understood the pressures that come with being at the top, didn’t hold back in expressing her concerns about the Polish star’s future prospects.
“The way Świątek has been performing in the second half of 2024 is concerning, and I don’t see her as the same dominant player she was just a few months ago,” Dementieva remarked in a recent interview. “She’s clearly still a talented player, but there are mental and tactical aspects of her game that are now being exposed, and I think that will be a big challenge for her in 2025.”
Świątek’s mid-season struggles included a number of early exits from prestigious events, including Wimbledon and the US Open, where she was expected to be a top contender for the title. These losses came as a shock to many, as the Polish tennis star had been dominant on hard courts and clay in the years prior. However, her inability to find her rhythm on these surfaces in 2024 revealed potential vulnerabilities in her game. While Świątek’s groundstrokes remain powerful and precise, there have been concerns about her consistency under pressure, particularly when facing aggressive players who can take the ball early and challenge her baseline play.
Dementieva noted that Świątek’s tactical approach to matches had not evolved in the way that might be necessary for her to retain her position at the top of the WTA rankings. “It’s not enough to just hit powerful shots. The best players in the world adapt their game to their opponents, and I’m not sure Świątek has done enough of that,” Dementieva explained. “When you look at players like Aryna Sabalenka, who has improved dramatically over the past year, or Coco Gauff, who is showing signs of maturity in her game, you see players who are not just physically strong but also mentally and tactically versatile. Iga has some of those qualities, but there are weaknesses that other top players are beginning to exploit.”
One of the key issues that Dementieva pointed to was Świątek’s struggles to handle the pressure of big moments. While the Polish player had previously shown an ability to rise to the occasion in major finals, her recent losses suggested that the mental fortitude required to maintain such consistency was slipping. Świątek’s body language on the court had been noticeably different in 2024, with moments of frustration and self-doubt creeping into her matches. This change in demeanor has not gone unnoticed by analysts and fans alike, and it is something that could hinder her chances in 2025.
“Emotionally, she seems more fragile than she has been in the past,” said Dementieva. “In the big moments, we’ve seen her lose focus and make errors that we’re not used to seeing from her. It’s not just about her physical game anymore; she’s facing a mental battle, and that’s something that could hold her back when it comes to the Slams next year.”
Mental toughness has long been one of the defining traits of champions in tennis, and Dementieva’s observations reflect the pressures that come with being the world number one. The expectations placed on players like Świątek can be overwhelming, and as the competition on the WTA Tour intensifies, the margin for error becomes smaller. It’s not just about winning matches anymore; it’s about maintaining dominance in a sport where the landscape is constantly shifting.
In addition to the mental aspect, Świątek has also faced challenges with her physical conditioning. While she remains one of the fittest athletes on the tour, there have been concerns about her ability to sustain the rigorous demands of a full season. The WTA calendar is unforgiving, with players expected to perform at a high level week in and week out, and the physical toll this can take has been evident in Świątek’s recent results.
“Elena is absolutely right in pointing out that the mental and tactical aspects of Iga’s game are being exposed,” noted another tennis expert, former WTA player and coach Mary Pierce. “But let’s not forget the physical strain that comes with being number one for so long. It’s a tough ask, especially when you’re playing against players who are physically as strong as you, but with a little more experience or a more mature game. I think Iga needs to focus on finding a better balance between physical preparation and mental resilience.”
Despite these concerns, there are still many who believe that Świątek’s talent and work ethic will enable her to rebound in 2025. She has proven herself to be a fierce competitor, and her ability to adapt and learn from her defeats will be crucial as she looks to reclaim her spot at the top. The 2024 season may have been a period of transition, but Świątek has shown time and again that she can bounce back from adversity.
However, as Dementieva has pointed out, Świątek will need to address both her mental and tactical weaknesses if she wants to continue challenging for Grand Slam titles in 2025. The rise of new challengers on the WTA Tour, such as Gauff and Sabalenka, only adds to the pressure on Świątek to adjust her game. As the 2025 season looms large, the world will be watching to see if Świątek can overcome her mid-season struggles and return to her dominant form or if the cracks that have appeared in her game will widen, leaving her vulnerable to the next generation of tennis stars.
With the 2025 Australian Open just around the corner, all eyes will be on Iga Świątek as she looks to prove her doubters wrong and silence the critics who have already begun to question her chances at future Grand Slam glory. Whether or not she can make the necessary adjustments to maintain her position at the top of women’s tennis will determine whether she can continue her reign as one of the sport’s elite champions. For now, the tennis world waits in suspense, eager to see how Świątek responds to the challenges that lie ahead.