“I have been throwing rackets when I was younger”: Iga Swiatek reflects on her past struggles with emotions
WTA
Iga Swiatek spoke about managing her emotions on court while competing at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open. The world No. 2 continues her impressive run in Doha, defeating 5th seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-5 to advance to the tournament’s semifinals.
Swiatek, the three-time defending champion, secured her third consecutive win in this event. The Pole had to battle through moments of frustration against Rybakina but is now set for the semifinals as she chases her fourth consecutive title in Qatar.
Swiatek explains why she no longer throws rackets
The world No. 2 has defeated Maria Sakkari and Linda Noskova – along with Rybakina – to reach this stage. After her second-round win over Sakkari, Swiatek discussed how she handles frustration on court, especially after a tough battle against the Greek player. “It’s not easy to play against Maria, especially your first match of a tournament, so I’m happy that I’m through.”
Swiatek was then asked about never being seen smashing a racket on court. The five-time Grand Slam champion responded: “And you won’t probably.”
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Recognized as one of the mentally toughest players on the WTA Tour, Swiatek maintains her composure even in difficult moments. When asked whether she follows a specific routine to strengthen her mentality, she explained: “I wouldn’t say there’s a routine because there are many things that can throw you off, you know, and you always have to react differently depending on what the situation looks like.”
“For sure there are some things I can do when I’m angry, but I wouldn’t say my anger is kind of, I don’t know, so visible,” the former world No. 1 added. “It doesn’t make sense for me to throw the racket, it’s not the racket’s fault, you know, and I always try to kind of give a good example to the kids as well.
“I have been throwing rackets when I was younger, but this is why I do all the mental training, and I try to kind of be a better player to learn how to deal with this stuff,” she stated. “I don’t know, there’s no point, I guess, if my mentality bursts with this negative kind of emotions, it’s just better to work on them and to kind of convert them to something positive.”
Swiatek is still waiting to know her semifinal opponent in Qatar. The world No. 2 will face the winner between Jelena Ostapenko and Ons Jabeur.
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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