Swiatek’s Angst: Career Break Looms After French Open Exit?

Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis sensation, has recently opened up about feelings of “bitterness” and is hinting at a potential career break. This comes after a string of performances that haven’t quite lived up to her own high standards, fueling speculation about her mental well-being and future in the sport. Here’s a breakdown of the situation, exploring the factors at play and what might be next for the former world number one.

The Weight of Expectations

Swiatek has been candid about the immense pressure she faces, admitting that the expectations placed upon her have been particularly challenging. This pressure, combined with the scrutiny from fans and experts, can create a mental overload that impacts her performance and overall well-being.

Recent Performance Dip

While Swiatek remains a formidable force on the court, her recent results have been somewhat inconsistent.

• French Open 2025: Her quest for a record fourth consecutive title ended in the semi-finals with a loss to Aryna Sabalenka. Despite showing resilience, she ultimately succumbed in the third set.
• Madrid Open 2025: She struggled in her opening match against Alexandra Eala, battling through with 57 unforced errors.
• Early Rome Defeat: An early loss in Rome against Danielle Collins allowed her to “confront what she disliked on the court” and address underlying issues.

The Mental Health Factor

Concerns about Swiatek’s mental health have been amplified by her on-court behavior.

• Explosive Outbursts: There have been instances of visible frustration, such as angrily slamming a ball at Indian Wells and smashing her racket during a quarterfinal loss in Stuttgart.
• Vandeweghe’s Concerns: Former top-10 player CoCo Vandeweghe has publicly raised concerns, suggesting that Swiatek’s behavior may indicate underlying mental health struggles.

Potential Career Break

Rumors of a potential break have been circulating. According to Polish media, Swiatek was considering taking a break from tennis after the conclusion of the clay season if her performances did not meet expectations. This has sparked discussions about her need to regroup and prepare for the US Open later in the year.

Swiatek Denies The Long Break

Iga has recently denied rumors of taking a long break from tennis. She stated that, “I don’t feel the need to take a break. Even in the past, when I did feel like it, I continued working and had very satisfying moments. I don’t think it’s a good solution: I know how difficult it is to return to the circuit.”

Wimbledon and Beyond

Looking ahead, Swiatek’s schedule includes the Wimbledon Championships.

Here’s a look at her expected schedule, based on past participation:

• Bad Homburg Open: Expected to commence her time on grass at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany, a WTA 500 tournament.
• Wimbledon Championships: Iga Swiatek’s next match and tournament is expected to be at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, which will be held from 30 June to 13 July 2025.

Swiatek’s Evolving Support System

Swiatek has made changes to her support system, including working with a sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, and a new coach, Wim Fissette. Fissette previously guided Naomi Osaka to her second Australian Open title in 2021.

Addressing Imperfections

Swiatek has acknowledged her struggles with perfectionism and is focusing on discipline and making the right choices on the court.

Swiatek’s Career Stats and Accomplishments

Despite recent challenges, Swiatek’s career statistics showcase her remarkable talent and achievements.

Key Stats

• Win-Loss Record: In 2025, Iga Swiatek has a record of 28 wins to 9 losses. Her career win record is 333 wins to 82 losses.
• Break Points: In 2025, Iga Swiatek has an average of 3.53 break points won per match in best of 3 set matches.
• Aces: Iga Swiatek has an average of 2.27 aces per match in 2025.
• First Serve Percentage: Iga Swiatek hits 62.2% on first serves, averaging 2.27 aces per match and maintains a double fault ratio of 2.73.
• Break Points Converted: Iga Swiatek converts 54.2% of their break points.

Grand Slam Titles

• French Open: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
• US Open: 2022

Other Notable Achievements

• WTA Finals Champion: 2023
• Bronze Medal: 2024 Paris Olympics (Singles)
• Longest WTA Winning Streak: 37 matches in 2022

Swiatek’s Philanthropy

Swiatek has demonstrated a strong commitment to mental health awareness. She donated $50,000 of her prize money at Indian Wells to a mental health charity. She also donated her prize money from the 2022 Agel Open to a Polish mental health non-profit.

The Road Ahead

Iga Swiatek’s journey is a testament to her resilience, determination, and commitment to excellence. While she is dealing with some challenges, she is also taking proactive steps to address them. Whether she decides to take a break or continue competing, the tennis world will be watching closely to see what she does next.