Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis sensation, is facing a barrage of scrutiny as the French Open approaches. Despite her impressive track record on clay, a tennis legend has voiced concerns about her current form and mental state, casting a shadow over her chances at Roland Garros. Is Swiatek on the verge of a breakdown, or can she overcome these hurdles and reclaim her dominance on the Parisian clay?
Evert’s Warning Signals Trouble for Swiatek
Chris Evert, a seven-time French Open champion, has expressed uncertainty about Swiatek’s prospects at the upcoming Grand Slam. Citing unexpected early exits in recent tournaments, Evert admitted she couldn’t confidently pick a favorite among Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys. “I just don’t know how Iga is going to react,” Evert stated, highlighting the unknown factor of Swiatek’s mental resilience. “We know what she is capable of, and with her past records, she’s brilliant at the French Open, but I just don’t know if she can find her A game, because she’s going to need it. It’s kind of like we’re seeing her C game right now.”
Evert’s concerns are rooted in Swiatek’s recent struggles, including a defeat against Danielle Collins in the Italian Open, a loss to Coco Gauff in the Madrid Open semi-finals, and a defeat by Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart. These setbacks have raised questions about Swiatek’s mental toughness and ability to handle the pressures of professional tennis.
Henin’s “Vicious Circle” of Hurt
Justine Henin, another former Grand Slam champion, echoes Evert’s concerns, suggesting that Swiatek is trapped in a “vicious circle” stemming from her French Open victory last year. Henin points to Swiatek’s difficulty in replicating her success on other surfaces as a key factor affecting her mental game. This culminated in her recent defeat at the Rome Masters.
“The fact of feeling that her game on other surfaces was not evolving as quickly as she thought or wanted weighed [on her],” Henin explained. “Her victory at the US Open [in 2022] was not enough to free her. Something was gradually setting in. There is competition that is progressing.” Henin believes that this pressure has created a negative cycle for Swiatek, making it difficult for her to regain her top form.
Isner Highlights Swiatek’s Vulnerability
John Isner has also weighed in on Swiatek’s situation, acknowledging her vulnerability heading into the French Open. While not ruling out a turnaround, Isner favors Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff as the top contenders for the title. He notes that Swiatek’s ranking has dropped, and she hasn’t secured a title in the past year.
“Iga is down to number four, has not won a title in 12 months,” Isner stated. “She’s not playing her best tennis, but she loves playing at Roland Garros. She could certainly turn things around there if she just can get comfortable with her first few matches in Paris. But definitely a little cause for concern in the Iga Swiatek camp.”
Swiatek’s Recent Form and Struggles
Swiatek’s recent performances have indeed been below her usual standards. In Madrid, she suffered a crushing defeat against Coco Gauff, losing 6-1, 6-1. This loss, along with other early exits, has raised concerns about her consistency and mental fortitude. Following the loss to Gauff in Madrid, Swiatek was seen in tears, highlighting the emotional toll of her struggles. “I couldn’t really get my level up. Coco played good, but, yeah, I think it’s on me that I didn’t really move well,” said Swiatek. “With that kind of game, it was pretty bad. I think I pushed kind of with my head for more than I even should, tennis-wise. Today, for sure everything kind of collapsed.”
Adding to the challenges, Swiatek’s split with her long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in October 2024 and a doping controversy that led to a one-month suspension have created additional hurdles. Although Swiatek has since hired Wim Fissette, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to revitalize her game.
The Mental Game: A Key Factor
The mental aspect of tennis is crucial, and Swiatek has openly discussed her struggles with the psychological strains of being a professional athlete. She has worked with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz to develop mental toughness and cope with pressure. “I just believe that mental toughness is probably the most important thing in tennis right now because everybody can play on the highest level,” Swiatek said. “But the ones that are tough and that can handle the pressure are the biggest ones.”
However, recent events suggest that Swiatek’s mental game may be faltering. The pressure to maintain her ranking, defend her titles, and meet high expectations has taken a toll. As Mats Wilander pointed out, Swiatek’s focus on ranking points may indicate a troubling mindset, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing winning matches over worrying about past performances.
Swiatek’s Dominance on Clay
Despite her recent struggles, Swiatek’s record on clay remains impressive. She has won the French Open four times (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024) and has a remarkable 35-2 record at Roland Garros. In 2024, she secured her third consecutive French Open title, defeating Jasmine Paolini in the final.
Her dominance on clay is attributed to her exceptional movement, powerful forehand, and ability to generate spin. As former player Amelie Mauresmo noted, Swiatek’s game is well-suited for the surface. However, her recent struggles have raised questions about whether she can maintain her dominance in the face of mounting pressure and increased competition.
Can Swiatek Overcome the Odds?
As the French Open approaches, the tennis world is watching to see if Iga Swiatek can overcome her recent setbacks and rediscover her winning form. The challenges she faces are significant, including mental hurdles, coaching changes, and increased competition. However, Swiatek has proven her resilience in the past, and her exceptional talent and experience on clay cannot be discounted.
Coco Gauff, who defeated Swiatek in Madrid, believes that the Polish star will be a force to be reckoned with at Roland Garros. “I think for sure it changes some things when you maybe see someone who won Roland-Garros that many times not having the best results,” Gauff said. “I think it definitely gives players a lot of confidence when they come to face her.”
Ultimately, Swiatek’s success at the French Open will depend on her ability to regain her mental composure, trust her game, and embrace the challenges ahead. Whether she can silence the doubts and reclaim her dominance on the Parisian clay remains to be seen.
The Broadcast Team Covering Swiatek’s Journey
For fans eager to follow Swiatek’s progress at the French Open, TNT Sports will provide comprehensive coverage, featuring a star-studded commentary team. The lineup includes tennis legends such as John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Chris Evert, and Venus Williams, alongside experienced sportscasters like Brian Anderson and Adam Lefkoe. With their insights and analysis, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of Swiatek’s performance and the unfolding drama at Roland Garros.
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