Iga Swiatek Defends Her Team Amidst Recent Struggles

Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis star, has recently addressed growing speculation and criticism surrounding her coaching staff and psychologist following a period of disappointing results. In an exclusive interview with Polish media outlet SportoweFakty, Swiatek strongly defended her coach, Wim Fissette, and her long-time psychologist, Daria Abramowicz.

Mounting Pressure and Scrutiny

After a dominant run in previous years, Swiatek has faced increased pressure in 2025 due to not meeting her own high standards. It has been almost a year since she last won a title, and her aura of invincibility on clay courts has diminished. This dip in form has led fans and media to scrutinize her team, seeking explanations for the perceived decline.

In October 2024, Swiatek made a significant change by parting ways with her coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, and hiring Wim Fissette, who previously coached Naomi Osaka. However, she retained her collaboration with Daria Abramowicz, who has been her psychologist for the last six years.

Swiatek’s Firm Defense

Addressing the criticism, Swiatek asserted that she wouldn’t have achieved her level of success without the support of Abramowicz and her coaching team. She insisted that their past accomplishments should not be disregarded simply because she hasn’t been performing at her peak recently.

“Without the work I’ve done with my psychologist and other team members, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s worth remembering that. Just because I’ve been reaching semifinals instead of finals for six months doesn’t mean you can dismiss everything,” Swiatek stated.

Swiatek also addressed the “witch-hunt” in the media, emphasizing the importance of trust and a peaceful environment for her team to work effectively. She stated that the unnecessary pressure created by the media hinders their ability to focus on improvement.

“Daria is a constant support for me, a person I trust. I trust the whole team, and I want the people around me to know that. This is my team, I decide who is in it. The witch-hunt that has recently appeared in the media does not give free space for peaceful work. On the contrary – it creates additional, unnecessary pressure,” Swiatek affirmed.

Addressing Specific Criticisms

Daria Abramowicz’s Role

Swiatek has been working with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz for six years. Abramowicz is known for her close involvement with Swiatek, focusing on establishing healthy routines, setting realistic expectations, and managing on-court stress. Their collaboration is more frequent than typical for a mental coach in tennis. Swiatek has previously credited Abramowicz with boosting her confidence, particularly during her breakthrough win at the 2020 French Open.

In response to the criticism of Abramowicz, Swiatek shut down what she called “false theories” surrounding her psychologist and coaching team. She highlighted that the mental aspect of sports is difficult to judge based on statistics, especially when she is not fully satisfied with her results.

Swiatek emphasized that Abramowicz’s support is crucial, especially during challenging times. She recounted a period when she didn’t want to play tennis due to a suspension, and Abramowicz was a constant source of support.

Wim Fissette’s Impact

When questioned about whether her new coach, Wim Fissette, was responsible for her recent struggles, Swiatek firmly rejected the notion. She described the suggestion as “harsh and unfair”. Swiatek emphasized that she can only evaluate her coach based on their daily work together, which she finds satisfactory.

Broader Perspective

Despite the disappointing results, Swiatek maintains a positive outlook. She acknowledged the increasing competitiveness in women’s tennis, with players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka raising their level. However, she also pointed out that she remains one of the most consistent players throughout the season.

“The level of tennis in the world is getting higher and higher. The girls got to know my game, they developed themselves,” Swiatek said. “Coco Gauff, who has always been a great talent, is older today and has more experience. Aryna (Sabalenka) managed to make it through the semi-finals and began to win titles.”

Swiatek also emphasized the importance of taking a broader perspective on the season. While acknowledging her annoyance at times, she focuses on the positives and recognizes that reaching quarter-finals or semi-finals is still a good achievement.

“I am irritated by headlines talking about falling apart or a mental crisis. Of course, sometimes I get annoyed on the court. Sometimes I’m not as focused as I’d like,” Swiatek admitted. “But I work, day in and day out, week in and week out, to be better. So there is no reason to make strange judgements or look for fatigue or burnout.”

Swiatek’s Perspective on Mental Strength

Swiatek also commented on the perception of her on-court behavior, particularly regarding displays of frustration. She acknowledged that she might appear less focused at times but affirmed her continuous efforts to improve. She also highlighted the difficulty in understanding the mental aspects of sports, which cannot be easily measured by statistics.

Looking Ahead

Iga Swiatek’s defense of her team underscores the importance of stability and trust in high-performance environments. As she prepares for future tournaments, including the upcoming Italian Open, her focus remains on continuous improvement and maintaining a positive outlook, shielded from the external pressures and criticisms.