In a candid assessment that has sent ripples through the tennis world, former doubles champion Pam Shriver has pointed to a critical issue within Iga Swiatek’s camp as the Polish star grapples with an uncharacteristic dip in form ahead of her French Open title defense. Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, has struggled to replicate her dominant performances of previous seasons, sliding to No. 5 in the WTA rankings. While some have speculated that her recent coaching change to Wim Fissette might be the root of her challenges, Shriver has a different perspective, singling out Swiatek’s sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, as the team member who is “failing her.” Her bold claim, aired on Tennis Channel, has sparked debate about the mental and strategic support surrounding one of tennis’s brightest stars.
Swiatek’s 2025 season has been a stark contrast to her earlier years of dominance. The 23-year-old, who once held the No. 1 ranking for 125 weeks, has yet to secure a title this year—a shocking departure from her record of winning at least one tournament before the French Open in each of the past four seasons. Her struggles have been most evident in the latter stages of tournaments, with losses in quarterfinals and semifinals becoming a recurring theme. A notable exception was her third-round defeat to Danielle Collins in Rome, but even that loss underscored her difficulty in closing out matches against top competition. Shriver, a respected voice in tennis with 22 Grand Slam doubles titles, suggested that Swiatek’s mental preparation has been lacking, pointing to Abramowicz’s approach as a key factor. “Daria spends too much time around Iga,” Shriver remarked, implying that the close relationship may blur the professional boundaries needed for effective psychological support.
The criticism comes at a pivotal moment for Swiatek, who is preparing to defend her French Open crown, a tournament where she has lost just two of her 37 matches. Her partnership with Abramowicz, which began in 2019 when Swiatek was just 17, has long been credited for her mental toughness, helping her navigate the pressures of professional tennis and secure five major titles. Abramowicz’s innovative methods, including visualization, cognitive exercises, and even introducing Swiatek to Legos as a stress-relief tool, have been lauded in the past. However, Shriver’s comments echo concerns raised by another Polish sports psychologist, who warned that the “disturbed” dynamic between Swiatek and Abramowicz lacks the necessary professional distance, potentially leading to “errors of perception” when emotions run high. This critique suggests that Abramowicz’s constant presence might hinder Swiatek’s ability to reset mentally during critical moments.
Despite her recent struggles, Swiatek remains a formidable contender. She has amassed the fourth-most points on the WTA Tour in 2025, consistently reaching the latter stages of tournaments, which demonstrates her resilience. Her aggressive, all-court style—marked by a lethal forehand once called the “most feared shot in women’s tennis” by Shriver herself—continues to produce winners, though it also generates unforced errors when her focus wavers. Matches against players like Jelena Ostapenko, who holds a 6-0 head-to-head lead, have exposed vulnerabilities, with Shriver noting “no rhythm and lots of anxiety” in Swiatek’s play during a recent 6-3, 6-1 loss in Qatar. Yet, Swiatek’s history of bouncing back, often compared to Serena Williams’ “revenge tours,” suggests she could rediscover her form at Roland Garros, where she thrives on clay.
The call for change from Shriver has ignited speculation about Swiatek’s next steps. While her coaching switch from Tomasz Wiktorowski to Fissette, who has guided players like Kim Clijsters and Angelique Kerber to Grand Slam glory, was meant to elevate her game, Shriver believes the issue lies elsewhere. “There needs to be a change,” she stated, urging a reevaluation of Swiatek’s mental support system. As the French Open looms, starting May 25, 2025, all eyes are on Swiatek to see if she can harness her mental and physical strengths to reclaim her dominance. A single big win could be the spark she needs, but the question remains whether her team—particularly Abramowicz—can provide the clarity and structure required to navigate this challenging phase. With her unparalleled clay-court record and a hunger to reclaim the No. 1 ranking, Swiatek’s journey at Roland Garros promises to be a defining chapter in her career.
# Pam Shriver Critiques Iga Swiatek’s Team as French Open Looms
## A Struggling Champion
Iga Swiatek, once the unchallenged queen of women’s tennis, is facing an unexpected slump in 2025. The five-time Grand Slam champion, now ranked No. 5, has yet to win a title this season, a stark contrast to her previous dominance. As she prepares to defend her French Open title, former doubles great Pam Shriver has pinpointed a surprising issue within Swiatek’s team, arguing that her sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, is “failing her.”
## Shriver’s Bold Claim
Speaking on Tennis Channel, Shriver suggested that Abramowicz’s close relationship with Swiatek may be hindering her performance. “Daria spends too much time around Iga,” Shriver said, echoing concerns from another Polish psychologist about a “disturbed” dynamic lacking professional distance. This critique comes as Swiatek struggles in crucial matches, with losses in quarterfinals and semifinals piling up, including a third-round defeat to Danielle Collins in Rome.
## The Mental Game
Abramowicz has been a cornerstone of Swiatek’s success since 2019, using innovative techniques like visualization and Legos to bolster her mental resilience. However, Shriver argues that this approach may now be falling short, particularly in high-pressure moments. A recent loss to Jelena Ostapenko in Qatar, where Swiatek displayed “no rhythm and lots of anxiety,” highlighted these struggles. “There needs to be a change,” Shriver urged, calling for a reassessment of Swiatek’s mental support.
## Swiatek’s Resilience
Despite her challenges, Swiatek remains a force, amassing the fourth-most WTA points in 2025. Her aggressive style, led by a feared forehand, keeps her in contention, though unforced errors have crept in. With a 35-2 record at Roland Garros, the French Open offers a chance for redemption. Comparisons to Serena Williams’ “revenge tours” fuel hope that Swiatek can turn her season around with one big win.
## Looking Ahead
As the French Open begins on May 25, 2025, Swiatek faces pressure to reclaim her dominance. While her coaching change to Wim Fissette was meant to spark growth, Shriver’s focus on Abramowicz suggests mental preparation is the key. Whether Swiatek can recalibrate and silence her critics on the Paris clay will define this pivotal moment in her career.
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