Iga Swiatek opened up about the kind gesture Casper Ruud had with her following the Madrid Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion once again failed to defend a title this season, falling convincingly in the Madrid semifinals to Coco Gauff, 1-6, 1-6.
The Polish star suffered her seventh consecutive loss in a semifinal, and she hasn’t reached a final since winning Roland Garros 2024. During the match against Gauff, Swiatek showed visible signs of frustration, notably breaking down in tears during a changeover in the second set.
Images of the moment circulated widely on social media, showing Swiatek crying at 1-6, 0-4 while covering her face with a towel before returning to the court. Fellow player Casper Ruud took to social media to offer words of encouragement.
“Hey @iga_swiatek keep your head up🙏🙏,” posted the eventual men’s champion in Madrid. “Like millions of other people I love watching you play. Not your day today, but you inspire so many and you’ll be back stronger than ever!! 😊🤩👏🎾”
Swiatek has now arrived in Rome with hopes of turning around her recent struggles in the final stages of tournaments. Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, the World No. 2 reflected on Ruud’s support: "Yeah, I think Casper is one of the nicest people on tour. He's so humble and respectful, and he's a true gentleman,”
“I'm happy he wrote that because, for sure, it was one of the messages that got my spirits a little bit up after the loss,” the world No. 2 added. “But overall I know I’m good and I feel good, so I’ll just keep continuing the work I’m doing on the court and hopefully some wins are going to come.”
At least for now, Swiatek has had a strong start at the Rome Open, demolishing Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-0 in her opener. In the third round, she will face 29th seed Danielle Collins, against whom she holds a 7-1 head-to-head lead, including 1-0 on clay.
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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