“Here’s my laundry, so wash it for me”: Daniela Hantuchova shares pointed criticism involving Iga Swiatek

Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 02:30

Iga Swiatek holding the Madrid Open trophy back in 2024.

Former world No. 5 Daniela Hantuchova has criticized Iga Swiatek and the attitude of some leading players on the women's tour, recalling two incidents from her work at the Madrid Open. The Slovak described an unusual request from Swiatek's mental coach during the 2025 tournament and a separate occasion when the Polish star brought her dirty clothes and asked what to do with them.

Hantuchova, who has been part of the Madrid Open's management team handling player and media relations since 2024, discussed the incidents on the Kanar+ podcast on Czech channel Canal+ Sport. She also questioned the willingness of some leading WTA players to contribute to the promotion of the sport.

The incidents took place around a tournament that was disrupted by a major power outage across Spain on April 28, 2025. Play at the Madrid Open was suspended as the blackout left organizers dealing with basic logistical problems.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam singles champion, won her first Madrid title in 2024 after losing the final to Aryna Sabalenka the previous year. Hantuchova's account, however, focused less on the Polish player's results than on what she considered a lack of consideration for the people working around the tour.

Hantuchova recalls Swiatek's laundry incident

Hantuchova described an encounter in which Swiatek personally approached her with her clothes and asked what she should do with them. "I also had the laundry incident, when Iga personally brought me her clothes and asked me what to do with them."

The former tennis player said she found the situation difficult to imagine in the context of how she would have treated someone from an older generation. "I can't imagine going up to someone from an older generation and saying, 'Here's my laundry, so wash it for me.' And I actually went and dealt with it."

Hantuchova also recalled the conditions at the 2025 Madrid Open during the nationwide power outage. With electricity unavailable and tournament staff trying to manage the disruption, she said even providing food had become a challenge. "We were literally handing out bread rolls for dinner, whatever we could get."

Against that backdrop, Hantuchova said she received a request from Swiatek's mental coach, Daria Abramowicz, for warm chicken at 11 a.m.

"And then, the next morning, I got a request from Iga Swiatek's mental coach asking for warm chicken at 11 a.m. I mean, I could start making a fire on a stone for you. Can't you see what's happening here? We were just glad to get by. There was still no electricity, but they already wanted warm chicken at 11 a.m. before the match."

Hantuchova used the incident to criticize what she described as an attitude among some players that their needs should take priority regardless of the circumstances.

Jaký nejbizarnější požadavek zažila Daniela Hantuchová jako manažerka turnaje v Madridu? Dvě nápovědy: Iga Swiatek a kuře 😃 Nový díl tenisové talk show KANÁR+ sledujte ve středu od 20:30 na CANAL+ Sport 📺 https://t.co/7QIQ5ft9sh
— CANAL+ Sport CZ/SK (@CANALSportCZ) October 13, 2026

She extended that criticism to sponsor commitments, claiming that no player ranked in the WTA's top five agreed to spend 10 minutes with a main tournament sponsor. By contrast, she said, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner agreed to similar requests without difficulty.

Hantuchova did not identify the WTA players involved. Her comments were a criticism of what she perceives as a difference in attitude between some of the leading women and their male counterparts, rather than a documented account of every player's commitments. "They want to earn more and think they don't have to do anything for tennis."

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The former player, who won seven WTA singles titles and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 5, argued that greater earnings should come with a willingness to contribute to the sport.

Her remarks placed the laundry episode and the request for hot food within a broader complaint about respect, responsibility and the work that goes into running professional tennis events.

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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