I went into this Rome Open with lower expectations after the Madrid loss, but with the hope that something might just click at a tournament she's had so much success.
My hopes were raised with her first round victory over Cocciarretto, but quickly dashed when it become apparent it would be more of the same today.
Serve completely let her down in the first set (double faulted in both times to give Collins a double break) so she really didn't have to do much to win it.
At least Iga avoided the bagel and lost it 1/6. The 2nd set was much closer, with more fight and Iga did have chances to take it, just couldn't do so ended up losing it 5/7.
With this loss the worst has happened and Iga will drop in the rankings from number 2 to #4 (a spot she held on to for 3 years) . This also marks Iga's 9th defeat this season (which equals her entire total from last year).
The last time Iga lost this early was five years ago to Arantxa Rus
She was 18 at the time. She has been virtually unbeatable here winning the title three of the past four years. Before today Iga had won an astounding 21 of her past 22 matches at Foro Italico -- that’s a winning percentage of 91.3 -- second only to Chris Evert’s 92.3.
So yeah this one hurts quite a bit.
It's hard to say what the problem is honestly.
Whether it's just Iga losing her mental edge (and locker room aura), and the opponents knowing Iga is vulnerable and lacking in confidence.
Being shaken by all the events of the past year (Olympics loss & doping suspension).
The pressure of having to defend 3 titles on her fave surface.
Or if it's some deeper issue we're not privy to.
Only Iga truly knows.
I said after her loss in Miami, that I'd start to worry if we see the same issues on clay as on hard court (and give her a pass in Madrid due to the altitude).
After this latest loss I'm equal parts worried and sad.
Iga is most definitely in a slump something that every player goes through (often more then once in their career) but something which Iga is definitely not familiar with in her very young career.
Currently she's losing matches with herself rather than her opponents beating her.
Going into Roland Garros this year with no titles will be a new experience for both her fans and Iga herself.
I'll always have faith in Iga when it comes to clay, but while I still have hope, I'm not certain that she can solve whatever is going on in the next 2 weeks.
My only hope is that the fall in the rankings will take at least a bit of the pressure off (which she has been clearly feeling quite a bit) and she might play a bit looser knowing that while she's still favourite due to being the defending champions she's not THE favourite based on form.
Just writing that last paragraph almost physically hurt. Roland Garros has been synonymous with Iga for basically the past 4 years and to suddenly not have that be more of certainty is very jarring.
And it really dampens my enthusiasm for the Parisian clay this year.
If Iga is unable to defend her French Open crown she'll most likely fall to #8 or 9 in live rankings. But that's neither here nor there at the moment.
Right now I simply want to see Iga play freely again, play her game without tension and see her feel the joy that she has playing this sport because right now even that seems to be missing.
And it's quite tough to watch (makes me want to give her a big hug).
Having been a fan of this sport for many years I'm aware of how many peaks and valley's a players career can have so I'm by no means giving up on Iga and will continue to support her in this tough time.
Because I know someone with her talent, will come out stronger on the other side. Even if it may take some time to get there. I believe she will.
I just wish social media and (Polish) media in general would cut her some slack and allow her to figure it out out without the constant microscopic criticizing.
Because this current dip does not in any way diminish all her previous astounding accomplishments (which no other Polish player has ever even gotten close to).
So keep your chin up Iga, we're still with you through thick and thin. There will be better times ahead.
Jazda!.
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