“Clickbait titles are more important sometimes”: Iga Swiatek opens up on dealing with hate and unfair judgment

Tuesday, 18 August 2026 at 01:00

Iga Swaitek holds the trophy at 2026 Canadian Open.

Iga Swiatek offered a blunt look at the criticism surrounding her after fighting back against Maria Sakkari at the Cincinnati Open, admitting that “clickbait titles are more important sometimes” before refusing to identify who she believes has been “mean” to her. The world No. 3's comments came after she dedicated her Canadian Open title to those facing unfair judgment and hate.

Swiatek overcame Sakkari 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 to reach the Cincinnati round of 16, extending her winning streak to eight matches after winning the Canadian Open last week. The Pole remains on course to defend her Cincinnati title, with Diane Parry now standing between her and the quarterfinals.

The victory was another test against an opponent who has previously troubled Swiatek. Sakkari defeated her in Doha earlier this year before Swiatek responded in Indian Wells a month later. Despite those setbacks, Swiatek now leads their head-to-head 5-4 and again found a way to turn the match around after dropping the opening set.

Sakkari controlled much of the first set with aggressive tennis and well-constructed angles, but Swiatek raised her level from there. She served better, played deeper and increased her intensity, winning 12 of the final 14 games to complete another comeback and keep her title defense alive.

Swiatek refuses to name who is behind the criticism

The conversation quickly moved beyond the match when Swiatek was asked about the message she posted after her Canadian Open triumph. She had dedicated the title to anyone dealing with “unfair judgment and hate,” urging them to keep pushing, keep growing and focus on themselves.

“Well, that's what I needed to do. So that's where it came from,” Swiatek said.

The six-time Grand Slam champion explained that she wanted others to understand that pressure and criticism do not disappear simply because a player reaches the top of the sport.

“I just wanted to show people that we're all dealing with this, and if anyone can find comfort from the fact that it's not easy even for the biggest players out there, I'm happy to speak a little bit more about that.”

Iga Swaitek holds the 2026 Canadian Open trophy, her first title of the season.

Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates her 6-2, 6-3 win over Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina to clinch the National Bank Open final

Swiatek then made clear that she would rather focus on changing her own response than trying to control how she is portrayed. “I wish the world looked a little bit better and we had more space where we feel like respected and appreciated,” she said. “So yeah, I wish it would be a little bit nicer and kinder.”

When the interviewer asked directly who was being “mean” to her, however, Swiatek immediately refused to turn the conversation into a naming exercise. “Well, don't ask this question so straightforwardly. I'm not going to get into that.”

She did offer a broader explanation of the environment she is dealing with, particularly the way headlines can shape public perception.

“I'm not naive. I know how the world works, you know, clickbait titles are more important sometimes, so just got to focus on doing your job and not care about that.”

Swiatek finds another gear as winning streak reaches eight

That ability to block out the noise has coincided with a significant shift on court. Swiatek arrived in Cincinnati after winning in Toronto and has now won eight straight matches, including another comeback against an opponent with a history of challenging her.

She did not believe she was necessarily playing badly during the opening set against Sakkari. Instead, the Greek was simply making her work harder for control.

“I think I was serving a little bit better and playing a bit deeper,” Swiatek said. “I just felt like she's really pushing me and playing good angles, so I just needed to do a bit more.”

Swiatek also pointed to confidence as an important difference from earlier in the season, when she felt some “odd habits” returning to her game.

“This time I really used this confidence that I had from practice time and what Francis wanted to implement from the beginning with my game,” she said. “I felt like I could do it from the beginning till the end.”

That confidence will now be tested by Parry, with Swiatek two wins away from reaching the Cincinnati quarterfinals and continuing her title defense. Her latest result suggests the Pole is not only finding her form again, but becoming increasingly comfortable deciding which battles deserve her attention.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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