The Italian Open, a cornerstone of the clay-court season, has long been a stage where Iga Swiatek shines, her powerful forehand and relentless focus carving out victories on the red dirt of Rome’s Foro Italico. But in 2025, the four-time Grand Slam champion faced a jarring setback, crashing out in the third round to world No. 78 Bernarda Pera in a 6-4, 6-3 defeat. The loss not only halted her pursuit of a third Rome title but also saw her slip from the world’s top two rankings for the first time in three years. In a strikingly candid post-match press conference, Swiatek laid bare her struggles with focus, perfectionism, and the weight of expectations, offering a glimpse into the mind of a champion at a crossroads as Roland Garros looms.
Swiatek, who has dominated clay with three French Open crowns, entered Rome as a favorite but found herself uncharacteristically off-balance against Pera. The American’s aggressive play exposed cracks in Swiatek’s game, with unforced errors piling up and her movement lacking its usual precision. “I’m doing something wrong. I’m focusing on the wrong things, and that was my mistake,” she admitted, her voice heavy with self-criticism. “I wasn’t present to fight and compete.” The blunt confession underscored a mental battle that overshadowed her tactical missteps. Swiatek pinpointed her perfectionist tendencies as a culprit, noting, “I have a love-hate relationship with my perfectionism,” a trait she said clouds her decision-making under pressure.
The defeat marked a continuation of a turbulent 2025 for the 23-year-old Pole. After parting with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in October 2024, following a partnership that yielded four majors and a 37-match win streak, Swiatek has been adjusting to a new coaching dynamic. The specifics of her current team remain private, but the transition has coincided with inconsistent results. A controversial drug test issue in 2024, though resolved in her favor, added emotional strain, leaving lingering effects on her confidence. “There’s something wrong. I just need to regroup and change some stuff,” she said, signaling a need for both technical and mental recalibration. Her Rome exit, coupled with a Madrid semifinal run earlier in May, paints a picture of a player still searching for the form that made her world No. 1.
Swiatek’s rankings slide to No. 3, nearly 5,000 points behind Aryna Sabalenka, is a stark shift for a player who held the top spot for 103 weeks. The loss of 900 points from her 2023 Rome title defense stung, but her focus is on the bigger picture. “It’s my error, and I’m not doing things well,” she acknowledged, a rare admission from a player known for her steely resolve. With Roland Garros just weeks away, where she aims to defend her 2024 title, Swiatek’s ability to reset is critical. “I need to find myself and change some things,” she reiterated, hinting at a plan to refine her approach on clay, where her 88% win rate remains unmatched among active players.
Fans have rallied around Swiatek’s vulnerability, flooding social media with messages of support. “Iga’s honesty is why we love her. She’ll bounce back,” one post read, reflecting the sentiment of a fanbase accustomed to her resilience. Her clay season hasn’t been without highlights—her Madrid performance showed flashes of brilliance—but Rome exposed a rare fragility. As she prepares for Paris, Swiatek faces the challenge of silencing self-doubt while facing a stacked field, including Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. Her journey is a testament to the pressures of stardom and the courage it takes to confront flaws openly. Whether this setback fuels a triumphant return or signals deeper struggles, Swiatek’s raw honesty ensures the tennis world remains captivated by her next move.
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