Iga Swiatek, Poland’s tennis prodigy and a five-time Grand Slam champion, has faced a storm of scrutiny from her home country’s media, but she’s found a staunch ally in former world number one Andy Roddick. The 23-year-old, who has carried the weight of national expectations since her meteoric rise, has been grappling with a dip in form during the 2025 clay season, prompting sharp criticism from Polish journalists. Roddick, never one to mince words, unleashed a passionate defense of Swiatek on his *Served with Andy Roddick* podcast, calling out her detractors with unapologetic fervor and highlighting her unparalleled achievements.
Swiatek’s 2025 season has been a tale of resilience amid adversity. After dominating the WTA rankings for much of 2024, she slipped to world number four, overtaken by Aryna Sabalenka. Her clay-court campaign, typically her stronghold, has been uncharacteristically rocky. She failed to reach the finals at the Madrid Open and suffered a surprising third-round exit at the Italian Open against Danielle Collins. These results have cast doubt on her ability to defend her French Open title, a crown she’s claimed four times, including three consecutive victories from 2022 to 2024. The Polish media, quick to pounce, have questioned her mental toughness and even the influence of her psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, intensifying the pressure as Roland Garros approaches on May 25.
Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, was having none of it. On his podcast, he delivered a blistering rebuke to Swiatek’s critics, emphasizing her status as Poland’s greatest sporting icon. “She complains about the Polish media. I’m sorry, if you are a sports journalist in Poland and you are crushing Iga on a week-to-week basis, you are a f—— moron,” he declared, his frustration palpable. “She is the greatest sports person you have ever had.” Roddick’s words resonate deeply, given Swiatek’s remarkable resume: at just 23, she’s amassed five Grand Slam titles, matching the career hauls of legends like Maria Sharapova and surpassing Kim Clijsters and Lindsay Davenport. Her 2023 and 2024 Forbes rankings as one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes further cement her global influence.
The criticism Swiatek faces isn’t limited to her recent losses. Earlier this year, she opened up about the invasive media attention that’s plagued her off the court. In an interview during the Italian Open, she recounted a disturbing incident after the Miami Open, where paparazzi trailed her nearly to her apartment. “I stopped them and said, ‘OK, tomorrow I’m going to practice. You can take photos of me when I go there, but this is off-limits,’” Swiatek shared, revealing her attempt to set boundaries. “I understand what their job is about, but we can have a nice, even collaboration if they want to be supportive.” Her measured response highlights a maturity that contrasts sharply with the relentless scrutiny she endures, particularly from Polish tabloids known for sensationalizing the lives of successful athletes.
Roddick’s defense also touched on Swiatek’s emotional authenticity, a trait that sets her apart in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. He’s previously praised her for her humanity, recalling her tearful reaction after a grueling 2024 French Open match against Naomi Osaka. “Try to tell me Iga doesn’t care,” he tweeted at the time. “This was a second-round match at a tournament she’s already won three times. This woman is a champion… and human.” This sensitivity, while a strength, makes her vulnerable to the media’s relentless probing, a concern Roddick voiced as she prepares for the French Open. “If you’re a Polish journalist and you know you are making Iga’s life really difficult and not throwing a parade every time she talks to you, you’re a moron,” he reiterated, contrasting the Italian media’s adulation of Jannik Sinner with the criticism Swiatek faces.
Swiatek’s challenges in 2025 extend beyond the court. A doping controversy in 2024, where she tested positive for trace amounts of trimetazidine due to contaminated melatonin, led to a one-month suspension. Though cleared of significant fault by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the ordeal took an emotional toll. “The second half of last year was extremely challenging for me, especially due to the positive doping test,” she wrote on Instagram, addressing an unrelated incident where she hit a ball in frustration at Indian Wells. Roddick, who’s defended her on this issue as well, dismissed the doping narrative as overblown, noting, “I can’t call it doping. It’s like taking a melatonin for jet lag at 2:30 in the morning.”
As Swiatek gears up for Roland Garros, her new coach, Wim Fissette, is working to restore her clay-court dominance. Despite her recent struggles, her intensity and focus—likened by Roddick to Rafael Nadal’s—remain her calling card. Social media sentiment echoes Roddick’s support, with fans lamenting the unfair pressure she faces. “Polish tabloids are ruthless. Iga deserves better,” one user posted, capturing the frustration of her global fanbase. With the French Open on the horizon, Swiatek’s journey is a testament to her resilience, and with champions like Roddick in her corner, she’s poised to silence her critics on the red clay of Paris.
Leave a Reply