"The psychologist has the advantage in this situation" - Iga Swiatek's childhood coach pins blame on psychologist surrounding recent poor results

Iga Swiatek's recent form has left many bemused as to why she has fallen off so much from her prior heights. From dominating Grand Slam tournaments to rarely even making finals and deep runs. Many people have been trying to put their finger on what is going on with her childhood coach, Artur Szostaczko, pinning the blame on her psychologist Daria Abramowicz.

The Pole's form on court seems to have continued from last year. Aside from a dazzling period where she won Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open, it was rather bleak. Not making a final till June, dropping to as low as eighth in the world and being swamped by her rampant rivals who capitalised on her misfortunes.

Similar events are occurring this year. Aside from the United Cup triumph, where she would be on the receiving end of some damaging defeats, she has failed to even reach a semi-final on the WTA Tour. A dreadful return for someone with such high quality.

The 24-year-old is starting to fall down the rankings. After a dreadful Sunshine swing culminating in a second round exit at the Miami Open to fellow Pole Magda Linette, she has fallen two places to world number four, seeing Indian Wells finalist Elena Rybakina and Miami Open runner-up Coco Gauff overtake her for the time being. The clay swing should be a period where Swiatek should dominate on her specialist surface. However, growing concerns were sparked after she reached just a couple of semi-finals, failing to defend a lot of her big titles.

This does open the door for some improvement unless she continues in the manner in which she is currently experiencing. It is not only a crucial time on the court, but off it with her hunt for a new coach officially commencing amid the departure of Wim Fissette. The Belgian spent a year and a half with the former world number one which saw some positives, including the Wimbledon title, but aside from that a lot of negatives.

Szostaczko coached Swiatek for five years until she was at the age of 10. He would know the six-time Grand Slam champion relatively well and that gives him authority to share what he believes is going on.

He opted to pin the blame on her psychologist, Abramowicz. "I know and have contact with many coaches and tennis people," he told Interia Sport. "No one there has worked with a psychologist to the extent that Iga has. Of course, a psychologist can help, but you have to be moderate."

This overuse of the psychologist from Swiatek has been detrimental. "The way I see it, in a psychologist-athlete relationship, there's usually some kind of entanglement and addiction. And the psychologist has the advantage in this situation. It's possible that this is the case with Iga, that it's a pattern. Perhaps she doesn't know any different.”

Szostaczko was not done there, also slamming her father, Tomasz, who was caught up in the blame for Swiatek's recent woes. "I also see the dad's problem," he added. "And I'll add that I wouldn't want a player who won six titles, was number one for a long time, is still an outstanding tennis player, and now stands in front of the cameras and apologises for losing to Linette. And she's crying. This is a tragedy. Is she 12 years old? Who is she apologising to and for what?”

Swiatek has pulled out of the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against last year's semi-finalists Ukraine. She will take some time away from the spotlight before hopefully coming back stronger than ever to set the clay swing alight once more.