“We all go through those moments”: Kim Clijsters explains Iga Swiatek difficult phase in 2026 season

Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters believes the current struggles of Iga Swiatek are rooted primarily in a mental and emotional imbalance, rather than technical decline, following the Pole’s early exit at the Miami Open. The 6-time Grand Slam champion was defeated in her opening match by compatriot Magda Linette, prompting renewed scrutiny over her current level.

Clijsters, herself a four-time Grand Slam winner, framed Swiatek’s situation through the lens of experience, pointing to visible signs of tension during the match and linking them directly to internal pressure. Her analysis places the emphasis on psychological strain at a moment when Swiatek remains among the elite despite recent setbacks.

The defeat in Miami came amid a broader period of fluctuation for Swiatek, who holds a 12–5 record this season, with quarter-final finishes at the Australian Open, Doha and Indian Wells. However, her early exit in Florida, combined with Coco Gauff’s run to the final, has contributed to a drop in the rankings, with Swiatek now positioned at World No. 4.

Compounding that shift, Swiatek confirmed her split from coach Wim Fissette shortly after the loss. The Belgian coach, who joined her team in October 2024 following the end of her long-term partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski, had overseen a period that included major titles, but the collaboration ended as the tour transitions into the clay-court swing, beginning in Stuttgart.

Clijsters’ reading of Swiatek’s performance focused on the connection between physical tension and mental state, suggesting that the issues observed on court are symptomatic of a deeper internal struggle. From her perspective, such phases are not uncommon, even among the most successful players.

She emphasised that the visible tightness in Swiatek’s movement and shot execution reflected a broader psychological dynamic, rather than a sudden drop in ability. That distinction, Clijsters indicated, is critical in understanding the nature of the current slump.

“Just from watching, I feel like for a little bit you could feel the rise of tension in her body, which usually is related to how the mind is,” Clijsters explained in Love All Podcast. “It’s a combination, and it’s sad to hear that she’s going through those struggles, but at the same time it’s very recognizable, because we all go through those moments where you mentally question yourself—am I good enough, can I still do this, am I approaching it the right way.”

Clijsters also contextualised those struggles within the demands of the tour, highlighting the cumulative pressure of a schedule that leaves little room for emotional reset. “You go through life on the road, but at the same time you grow as a person, and sometimes you can get a little stuck in that kind of tennis circus. It’s a very intense environment, and at times even toxic when you’re in it for a long time.”

The decision to part ways with Fissette, in Clijsters’ view, reflects the complexity of the situation rather than serving as a direct solution. Drawing on her own experience working with the Belgian coach, she suggested that coaching adjustments alone are unlikely to resolve deeper psychological challenges.

Clijsters pointed out that when a player is operating under significant mental strain, the effectiveness of in-match guidance becomes limited, as the root of the issue lies beyond tactical execution. “When a player is mentally where she was at, I don’t think there’s a lot that you can say from the sideline. It’s a lot further than ‘do this on the tennis court’ or ‘focus on placing the ball there’. It’s a lot deeper than that, and it’s something that has to come from within.”

She also referred to broader patterns on the tour, where players facing similar situations have ultimately needed to take personal responsibility for change, rather than relying solely on external support. “You come to a point where you have to look yourself in the mirror and make the changes and face your weaknesses. You can have support around you, but there’s no magic solution—it’s something you have to go through yourself.”

Swiatek now enters the clay-court swing, historically the strongest phase of her season, where she has built much of her legacy, including multiple Roland Garros titles. That context adds significance to the coming weeks, as she seeks to stabilise both her results and her internal balance.

Clijsters suggested that the key for Swiatek will be restoring clarity in her decision-making and reconnecting with the instinctive patterns that have defined her success on the surface. The transition to clay offers both familiarity and expectation. “It’s not just the tennis part that you can take out and replace. It’s a very detailed relationship, and you have to be able to express yourself openly. It’s not always easy, and personalities have to match, especially when you’re going through a moment like this.”