Podcast apologizes and removes Swiatek segment after psychologist’s “foolish” remarks ignite backlash in Poland
WTATuesday, 04 August 2026 at 21:30
Iga Swiatek’s return to competition after Wimbledon has been overshadowed by controversy away from the court. Comments made by Polish psychologist Ewa Woydyllo-Osiatynska about the five-time Grand Slam champion sparked strong reactions in Poland, with many fans criticizing the remarks and questioning the conclusions about Swiatek’s career.
The discussion began after Woydyllo-Osiatynska appeared on the “Return” segment of the Trzeci Serwis podcast by Lech Sidor, where she spoke about Swiatek’s recent struggles, motivation and relationship with psychologist Daria Abramowicz. The episode generated widespread reactions on social media before later being removed from the channel.
Swiatek has endured one of the most difficult periods of her career after years of dominance, including reaching No. 1 in the WTA rankings and winning six Grand Slam titles. The Polish star has struggled for consistency in 2026, entering the North American hard-court swing without a title this season.
The 25-year-old looked to respond on court in Toronto after a disappointing Wimbledon campaign, where she failed to defend her title and lost in the third round to Alexandra Eala. Her victory over Sara Bejlek provided a positive start, but the debate surrounding her form continued after the controversial comments.
Psychologist’s comments about Swiatek spark backlash in Poland
During the podcast appearance, Woydyllo-Osiatynska discussed Swiatek’s public image and questioned whether the player was fully aware of the situation surrounding her career.
“She has become a star and she has shown herself as a reflective, mature and intelligent girl," the psychologist said according to Polish outlet Plejada. "But she is probably just foolish and frightened. She does not understand what is happening."
Iga Swiatek smiles after her victory in the second round of Wimbledon. She was later defeated in the third round by Alex Eala.
She also suggested that Swiatek could consider pursuing higher education and questioned whether tennis was still providing the same motivation after years of extraordinary success. “If her motivation has faded, because now she often leaves after the second match, the answer is simple,” Woydyllo-Osiatynska said. “I think Iga should go to university now. She was an intelligent girl, and now she is unhappy.”
The psychologist added that Swiatek’s rapid rise could have contributed to a sense of exhaustion after years competing at the highest level. “It is not that Iga got lost in tennis. She no longer loves tennis,” she added. “I suppose she is tired, that tennis was enough for a few years of spectacular growth.”
Woydyllo-Osiatynska also addressed Swiatek’s work with Abramowicz, who has been part of the player’s team since 2019 and has frequently spoken about the importance of mental preparation in elite sport.
“She pays coaches, fitness trainers, masseurs and a whole team, and she also hires a psychologist,” Woydyllo-Osiatynska said. “She has already changed coaches several times, but not her psychologist. That means she is satisfied, so probably the problem is not psychology.”
The comments about Abramowicz were among the most discussed parts of the interview, with fans defending Swiatek’s team and criticizing what they considered speculation about a player’s private and professional decisions.
Znana psycholog mówi o Idze Świątek, że jest "prawdopodobnie głupiutka, wystraszona, sama nie rozumie tego, co się dzieje". Przecież to jest cyrk. Jak psycholog publicznie może mówić takie rzeczy? Czy zna tenisistkę by tak stawiać sprawę? "Prawdopodobnie" - czyli zwykła teoria https://t.co/QPmUs14jCh
— Dominik Senkowski (@dsenkowski07) August 3, 2026
@MajaHermanMD Pani Maju, co Pani sądzi? Wypowiedź Ewy Woydyłło-Osiatyńskiej oraz Lecha Sidora na temat Igi Świątek. Kontekst? Iga istnieje, uśmiecha się i gra mimo tego że nie jest już światowym numerem jeden. pic.twitter.com/f4lvKpYYq7
— mazzy star (@loveuulots) August 3, 2026
Trzeci Serwis removes episode and apologizes after criticism
Following the backlash, Trzeci Serwis - podcast Lecha Sidora confirmed that the “Return” segment featuring Woydyllo-Osiatynska had been removed from its channel.
In a statement, the creators acknowledged their responsibility for publishing the content and apologized after receiving criticism from fans and media. “During the production and post-production stages, we mistakenly and very naively assumed that the person speaking the words in the program was solely responsible for them."
However, after your feedback and the media’s reaction, we understood that we, in turn, bear responsibility for what content enters the tennis discourse and what level that discourse will maintain,” the statement read. "On this front, we lost 0:6, 0:6.”
The episode’s removal and apology came after multiple reactions on social media in Poland, where many fans defended Swiatek and criticized the comments made about one of the most successful players in the history of Polish sport.
Usunęliśmy odcinek „Returnu” z Ewą Woydyłło.
— Trzeci Serwis - podcast Lecha Sidora (@TrzeciSerwis) August 4, 2026
Na etapie produkcji i postprodukcji błędnie i bardzo naiwnie uznaliśmy, że za wypowiadane w programie słowa odpowiada wyłącznie ich autorka. Po Waszym feedbacku i reakcji mediów zrozumieliśmy jednak, że na nas z kolei spoczywa…
Toronto victory provides Swiatek’s first response on court
Swiatek’s first answer came with her performance in Toronto, where she defeated Czech youngster Sara Bejlek 6-0, 6-3 in her opening match.
The Polish star produced a dominant start, winning the first nine games in a row before Bejlek finally got on the scoreboard. She also showed composure in a crucial second-set moment, surviving a 21-minute service game where she faced nine break points before holding.
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Swiatek finished the match with 76% of first serves landed, winning 64% of points behind that delivery, while breaking Bejlek six times across eight service games.
The victory marked her first win in Toronto since 2022 and her 24th victory of the 2026 season. After defeating Bejlek, Swiatek will face the winner between Donna Vekic and Victoria Golubic in the next round.
For a player who spent years setting the standard in women’s tennis, the most important response will ultimately come from results on court. As the hard-court swing continues, Swiatek will look to prove that her recent struggles are only a temporary stage rather than a sign of a deeper decline.
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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