Iga Swiatek has explained why criticism from tennis journalists affects her more than negative comments from fans, arguing that media professionals have a greater responsibility when discussing players and their performances. The six-time Grand Slam champion believes harsh coverage can create misleading narratives that influence how supporters perceive athletes.
The Pole shared her thoughts during an appearance on What's the Point?, the podcast hosted by American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin. The episode, released on November 11, featured a conversation about the mental challenges of elite sport, public expectations and the pressure of competing at the highest level.
Her comments come after a difficult 2026 season, in which Swiatek struggled to maintain the consistency that had established her among the WTA Tour's dominant players. Despite winning another WTA 1000 title, she failed to reach a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time since 2019 and eventually missed the WTA Finals.
The former World No. 1 acknowledged that fans can have legitimate reasons to feel disappointed with their favourite players. However, she believes criticism from journalists and tennis experts should be approached differently, given their influence and responsibility.
Swiatek explains why journalists' criticism hurts more than fans'
Swiatek admitted that she understands why supporters become frustrated when their favourite players lose earlier than expected, particularly when they have spent money on tickets hoping to watch them compete. “If I were a fan of someone, I would also be disappointed if they lost early and I didn’t have the chance to see them play,” Swiatek said.
However, she does not necessarily take those reactions personally. The Polish star explained that most comments from fans do not bother her, even when they are critical or judgmental. Instead, she sometimes interprets them as an indication of how much supporters care about her performances.
“Most of the things fans do or say don’t bother me at all,” she explained. “The only thing that hurts me a bit more is maybe when the journalists are being mean and judgy, and the experts that are supposed to be experts but they're not really. They've never been on tour, or they've never been on a tennis tournament."
Iga Swiatek takes selfie with fans after Rome Open win 2026
The former world No. 1 also questioned the influence those opinions can have on the wider tennis audience. Her concern is that readers may accept journalists' assessments as facts without necessarily having the knowledge to challenge them.
“This is quite painful because I know that they create these opinions that are then read by fans, and the fans might believe. And this is false narratives that they have the control over,” Swiatek added.
She was not suggesting that journalists should avoid criticising players altogether. “So, I can totally understand the negative comments, like, from the fans. But from people that are supposed to know something about the sport, if they do, like, too many mean things, it's not right for me,” she concluded.
Swiatek ends difficult 2026 season without WTA Finals appearance
Swiatek's comments come as she prepares to put a challenging campaign behind her. The Pole finished 2026 with a 39-15 singles record and dropped to No. 9 in the WTA rankings, a significant decline for a player who has spent much of recent seasons among the world's leading competitors.
Her biggest achievement was winning the Canadian Open in Toronto, where she defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 in the final. She also reached the semifinals in Cincinnati and Wuhan, but her Grand Slam performances fell below her usual standards. She exited the Australian Open in the quarterfinals, Roland Garros and the US Open in the fourth round, and Wimbledon in the third round as the defending champion.
After withdrawing from the Ningbo Open with a thigh injury in October, Swiatek announced on October 20 that she would not compete again this season, prioritising recovery after one of the most demanding campaigns of her career.
That decision also ruled her out of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells for the first time since 2019. Swiatek had been in line for an alternate position based on the Race standings but decided against travelling to California.
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Her absence eventually became relevant when Rybakina withdrew shortly before the tournament began because of illness. Marta Kostyuk, who had travelled to Indian Wells and remained available as the first alternate after Swiatek declined to attend, was promoted into the main draw to replace the Kazakh.
Swiatek will now focus on recovering and preparing for the 2027 season. After a year marked by inconsistent results and physical setbacks, she will be looking to return to the level that made her one of the dominant figures in women's tennis. Her conversation with Shiffrin also highlighted a less visible challenge of life at the top: dealing with the expectations of the public while trying to maintain control over the narrative surrounding her career.
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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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
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