World-ranked number 2 tennis player, Iga Swiatek, recently expressed her emotional turmoil and called for understanding from her critics in an earnest social media post. The post shed light on her struggles, including a controversial incident at Indian Wells that stirred up public criticism, as well as the toll taken by a doping scandal she was cleared of in 2024.
In the Instagram post, Swiatek candidly discussed the incident at Indian Wells, where she hit a ball in frustration that nearly struck a ball boy. “The truth is that I vented my frustration in a way that I’m not particularly proud of,” she confessed. “My intention was to never direct the ball at anyone, but to merely vent by bouncing it on the ground.”
The tennis star quickly apologized to the ball boy, making sure to maintain eye contact and express her regret. However, she admitted to being taken aback by the harsh judgments that followed. “It’s not uncommon for players to vent by bouncing balls, so, in a half-joking manner, I might say I lack experience in this and misjudged my aim in the heat of the moment,” she added.
Swiatek also touched on her emotional state, which had been heavily affected by her doping scandal in 2024. This incident had significantly disrupted her pursuit of her sporting goals, forcing her to make some internal adjustments. She highlighted her performance in Australia, where she played without expectations and solely focused on her game, acknowledging that the Australian Open might not work out in her favor despite her efforts.
Swiatek further discussed the impact of missing highly-ranked tournaments due to her positive test result and how her exceptional results from the previous year might affect her ranking. “The realization deeply upset me,” she confessed, referring to her lost chance to become the world’s number 1 tennis player.
Swiatek’s candid revelation is unusual among elite athletes, but it seems to be a response to an ongoing wave of negativity, particularly in her home country, Poland. Reports have questioned the influence of psychologist Daria Abramowicz on the five-time Grand Slam champion, adding to the scrutiny she faces.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Swiatek elaborated on her decision to publicly address the criticisms. “It’s hard to say it silenced the noise because during tournaments I’m mentally off. I’m not checking what’s going on on the internet, but in Poland, it’s not easy sometimes,” she admitted.
She expressed her desire for critics to understand that focusing on every small mistake is not the best way to support her, though she acknowledged the existence of supportive fans. “This post was for them to explain why I was a little frustrated and what was in my head the last month,” she said. “I just wanted to let it go and focus on the future.”
Swiatek is determined to continue her game without the pressure and scrutiny she currently faces. She aims to assess the situation after her tournament when she plans to check the internet. Her call for understanding and respect from critics is a clear plea for a shift away from the media’s negative portrayal of her on and off-court life. It remains to be seen how this plea will influence the tide of public opinion.
