NEW DELHI: Iga Swiatek, one of the world’s top female tennis players, recently started a tough phase in her career after an early exit from the Miami Open. She was visibly emotional after losing to Magda Linette in the round of 64 in the women’s singles, even stepping back briefly to wipe away tears before facing the media. Although she is generally happy in life, she admitted that tennis has become confusing and mentally draining. “It’s like a top tennis player’s worst nightmare when the level drops in matches. She said, as quoted by The Guardian. Although Swiatek is only 24 years old and already a multiple Grand Slam winner, success has brought intense pressure. Her strong thinking, once her greatest strength, has recently turned into brooding and self-doubt. Things became more difficult after a doping issue in 2024 that led to a brief suspension (later resolved). Missing key tournaments also hurt her chances of reclaiming the top spot from Aryna Sabalenkova, affecting her confidence.She managed a big comeback winning Wimbledon when expectations were low, but the stress soon returned. Although she still performs better than most players, the pressure is especially evident in the big matches.After the loss in Miami, Swiatek decided to part ways with her coach Wim Fissette, marking a turning point in her career. Although her team, including her psychologist, played a big role in her success, she may now have to rely more on herself and take full control of her decisions.
