Grief and pressure: Iga Swiatek's difficult Madrid Open amid grandfather's funeral

Iga Swiatek is going through a difficult personal time after it was confirmed that she attended the funeral of her beloved grandfather. The world No. 2 recently fell in the semifinals of the Madrid Open against Coco Gauff by a resounding 1-6, 1-6, losing for the fourth time in the semifinals this season.

The Pole could drop out of the top-2 for the first time in over 3 years if Gauff wins the title this Saturday against Sabalenka. With the defense of her titles at the Rome Open and Roland Garros ahead, the Pole needs to defend both titles if she wants to maintain her position in the ranking, and even then, there is a good chance she will fall in the standings.

Swiatek is not only having a hard time on the court, but French journalist Benoit Maylin recently revealed that Swiatek traveled directly to Poland from Madrid to attend her grandfather's funeral, according to confirmations from the Pole's team.

"Before we write off Djokovic and Swiatek after Novak's strange behavior and Iga's obvious nervousness, it should be noted that both are going through a complicated period,” Maylin reported on his social media. "Several of Djokovic's close friends have health problems, and Iga lost her grandfather just before the tournament," he wrote.