"I was accused of crying during matches. Today I am considered a model of mental fortitude on the court," Swiatek reflects on mental strength
WTA
Iga Swiatek is indisputably the world No. 1 and has become
the most dominant player on the Tour. Her recent French Open title was her
fifth Grand Slam, adding to her incredible performance over the past 52 weeks,
during which she also secured five WTA 1000 titles, the WTA Finals, and the WTA
250 in her hometown of Warsaw.
The 23-year-old Polish player recently answered an interview
in Zwierciadlo alongside her sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz, reflecting
together on their work to manage the stress of the Tour and improve her
on-court mentality.
Swiatek on her mental growth
For Iga Swiatek, her support team, including Polish sports
psychologist Daria Abramowicz, is crucial. The world No. 1 has become a
reference not just for her dominant game but also for her mental strength,
which has been fundamental in maintaining her top results over the years.
Despite being known for easily winning matches with frequent
bagels, in the past 52 weeks, Swiatek has won a bagel set (6-0) 20 times and
another 38 sets by 6-1, leading the statistic. Nonetheless, the Pole also knows
how to come back when matches are against her, like the recent WTA 1000 Madrid
Open final, where she saved a match point to win the title against Aryna
Sabalenka.
"Three or four years ago, I was called very emotional,
accused of crying during matches. Today, I am considered a model of mental
fortitude on the court, and I am not afraid to say that this opinion is
well-deserved. I know how much work it takes: my work and Daria's. It didn't
happen overnight," Swiatek explained about her work with the psychologist.
Swiatek won her 4th French Open title few weeks ago.
"I first learned to recognize, name, and express my
emotions. Then I identified the sources of tension. At the same time, Daria and
I were constantly looking for optimal tools that would allow me to reach the
level of stimulation and stress that worked for me. Because it's not that I
want to reduce the tension to zero. I need it on the court to achieve a high
level of performance."
"It's simply about taking care of oneself: proper rest,
proper management of the sports load, and many other responsibilities. I
couldn't face such a demanding sport as tennis alone; it would be difficult for
me. That's why I have a team of people behind me, great specialists in their
fields. Each one is responsible for a different piece of the puzzle that fans
see on the court. To give my best, every element has to work."
Abramowicz on Supporting Swiatek
Abramowicz commented on how she has supported Swiatek with
different strategies, including encouraging the player to play with LEGOs to
distract from stress: "In my work with Iga, I combine elements related to
belief work, emotion regulation, and using adaptive strategies. I try to
provide her with resources so that in every situation she finds herself in, she
feels she can handle it."
"We also often use things that, besides their effect on
the court, also bring some pleasure. For example, building with LEGO bricks: a
very simple activity but very relaxing and satisfying because we are creating
something. Additionally, there are also various games, logic puzzles, and
cards. Everything else is a 'company secret.'"
Swiatek added that playing with LEGOs is indeed a recurring
activity that helps her relieve tension: "Yes, building with blocks is
good mindfulness training, especially when I focus on the next steps in the
instructions and isolate myself from all external stimuli. It also stimulates
creative thinking and helps me relax in a rather pleasant way."
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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