Swiatek opens up about pressure, drop in level and overthinking after Miami exit – Tennis Now
Iga Swiatek is taking a hard look at himself after a recent tough loss.
Following her three-set loss to Magda Linette in Miami, the world No. 2 gave a candid glimpse into the mental struggles she’s currently going through, speaking openly about pressure, expectations and a shift in the way she approaches the game.
The defeat – 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 to a compatriot – ended Swiatek’s streak of 73 consecutive first-match wins dating back to 2021. It also continues a subtle but telling trend.
Last season, Swiatek posted a 52-1 record in first sets, a record she held until her second match in the WTA finals. Since then, her record in such situations is 10-5. Looking further, from 2022 to 2024, the Poles went a staggering 173-5 when leading by a set.
Her domain has recently become unexplainable.
“This is a top tennis player’s worst nightmare – to drop in level in the game,” Swiatek said. “I need to go through this and find out.”
For a player who relies on clarity and discipline to succeed, Swiatek said the traits that once fueled her consistency may now work against her.
“I’ve always been an overthinker, but lately it’s become so intense,” she said. “I have a hard time letting go of a lot of my thoughts, and that used to be my strength.”
Swiatek said she wanted to free herself from expectations, but they didn’t help her.
“I feel like I carried a lot of expectations and now I can’t really live up to them,” she said. “I needed to get away from them because my game wasn’t good enough for anyone to have any expectations.”
He also acknowledged a level of uncertainty that is rare for a six-time Grand Slam champion.
“I guess I’m a little confused, but there’s nothing to do but move forward,” she added. “I’m going to work my way out of it. I know I have the ability.”
Even if it fails, there is no sense of panic – just perspective.
Swiatek’s career has been built on resilience and readjustment, and Miami might just represent another moment of adjustment in a season that’s still unfolding.
For now, the focus shifts to her beloved clay and the expectations are hard to ignore, but her message is clear: The opponent on the other side of the net is big; so is the one in her head.
