I want to feel like a wall on the court again," says Iga Świątek in an interview with Sport.pl. This conversation isn't just about tennis. In it, see the Iga you won't meet on the court.Iga Świątek has a new coach – she'll be announcing his name soon. She wants to step into the arena she knows best, the one she feels most confident on, with renewed energy and enthusiasm: clay.
The powerhouses Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and
Amanda Anisimova have all stormed the tennis world . How does Świątek hope to regain her advantage? How can she match them and beat them? Will Rafael Nadal help her?
This interview isn't just about tennis, though. I'd like you to see the Iga you don't often see. Because you usually see her on the court, drenched in sweat from exertion. Most often, happy after victories, but lately, also disappointed, experiencing painful defeats, like against Magda Linette in Miami.
Radosław Leniarski: How do you feel after an extraordinary, unprecedented series at this time of the tennis season - two weeks at home.- I wouldn't count it in weeks. It would be more like... hmm, about 10 days.
It was pretty intense, but that's usually how it is when I get home. There are a lot of things I don't have time for when tournaments are on.
I'm glad I was able to catch up and see my friends. I had a few days off at first, but then I started working a bit at the gym and on the court.
I've had time to reflect on the situation. Now I feel calm and excited about the upcoming clay court season. This has always been my favorite surface. I was truly happy when I stepped onto the court and played on clay for my first practice session.
It's been two weeks since your loss to Magda Linette in Miami and since you spoke so honestly about yourself after that match. Do you now have a better understanding of why things have been so difficult for you on the court lately?
- In life there is rarely one solution to a complex problem.
I feel like I wasn't at my best when it came to confidence, and that showed on the court. I didn't feel confident in my skills. That's something I'm focusing on now—getting back to the skills I've always had and that helped me through the toughest moments, because those situations are bound to happen on the court. Tennis is a professional sport—you're competing against someone who wants to put pressure on you. My response to that wasn't the best.
I know what I want to do and how I want to work on my
tennis . It's true that the last few matches haven't been easy – no one likes to lose, and defeats like those against Magda are painful. But honestly, I would have been more scared if I hadn't felt anything after losing to Magda. I felt a lot of motivation; I really wanted to get back on the court and work on myself.
The split with coach Wim Fissett wasn't just a result of the loss to Magda—even if it hurt. How did the decision to end the relationship develop?"This is between us. I don't want to go into details. It's definitely not something someone like me decides to do after one failure. I wouldn't make such a decision lightly. Sometimes you can see me as an emotional person, but I really don't make decisions impulsively. I'm quite rational. I like to give myself time to make decisions. Besides, I don't make many changes within the team. I think that's a very good approach. I like to give the team the opportunity to "reset" and start working a little differently."
However, in this case, I felt it was simply time for a change. Yes, it wasn't a decision made in Miami—it was a longer process during which I carefully considered everything.
During the tournament in Doha, I realized I wasn't feeling as good on court as I had before. Of course, different tournaments can have different reasons for a poor performance—sometimes I just know I wasn't focused that day, sometimes my forehand was failing, sometimes something else. It happens. But I felt like I wasn't playing as well, and that's why I started losing confidence .
After my loss to Maria Sakkari, we sat down and had a long talk. We discussed what to change and how to approach the following week so I could get back to my solid game. And indeed, we made some progress before Indian Wells. But when I considered the whole picture, I decided I needed a change.
Honestly, I learned a lot about myself during this process. There were different moments, different approaches and retreats – this stage lasted several weeks.
And during this time you were looking for a new coach?"No, I couldn't do it behind my team's back. I'm honest with the people I work with."
Of course, I'm aware of what's going on in the coaching market, as we're at tournaments almost year-round. I asked several people with extensive experience on the WTA Tour. I considered changing, but I didn't actively pursue it. Because if you're working with someone, you have to give their efforts a chance; you have to trust them.
I still entered tournaments where I wanted to play well, so I tried to stay present and focused on
the game . Maybe that's why it wasn't perfect, to put it mildly, because it's hard to completely shut out all thoughts. Still, I tried; that was the goal, and I tried to achieve it.
What would be your ideal trainer, the one you are looking for or perhaps have already found?
- That's a good question, although you shouldn't judge a person only from that perspective.
The ideal coach should possess excellent skills. An eye for the game. A sense of what a player needs—both short and long term. They must be able to make the right decisions: when to introduce new moves and drills, when to start changing the game, and when to build on their player's strengths.
Personally, they should be understanding and have good communication skills, as they should be a team leader. They must bring everyone's work together and ensure everything works together.
It has to be someone you just enjoy spending time with, because the tournaments are long and there is also a lot of free time.
The key is to find the right balance between all of this.
I have a more important question, which is: not who, but what are you looking for?"I want to get back to solid foundations and feel like I'm a rock on the court again—I don't make mistakes and I force my opponents to make them. I've always had that. That was my advantage—I put pressure on the court, and that gave me an advantage. I feel like I enjoy tennis most when I'm solid. When I'm not, I take unnecessary risks and make many more mistakes. I want to get back to solidity. But that requires work on the court. If someone doesn't feel comfortable on the court, they simply have to work hard. There are also moments when everything clicks—that's when you can introduce new elements, learn new skills."
I'd like to have more variety in my game and sometimes use what I do in training in matches—have the courage to make those decisions. But for now, I'm mainly focusing on the first part—hard work and building consistency.
There are rumors that you're heading to Mallorca soon. Did you find a worthy partner there?
"I'm sure you can find a new piece of gossip every day. I imagine you've been reading a lot of them lately."
Ha, such a disappointment. Is it true that Rafael Nadal helped you find a coach? And is it true that he'll be at your box in Stuttgart and at other clay tournaments?
"You know, Rafa is my idol and basically the only person I watched play tennis as a child. He was also kind enough to talk to me several times during his career and give me tips. He's the person I can turn to if I need help or have a problem.
Having someone so experienced—the best, the GOAT, in fact—is obviously a fantastic opportunity, and I'll take advantage of it if I can. Rafa is very open. He's a great guy. Just having his number and being able to contact him is a huge honor. But honestly, whether he helped me [with choosing a coach - rl] or not, I'd like to keep it between us, because he's part of this story. I wouldn't want to put him in an awkward position.
I mentioned at the beginning that the last few weeks have been tumultuous for you, but it was also probably the most difficult time because of the reaction in Poland to your losses, especially in Miami. How do you feel about that?"I've been in the tennis world, and therefore in the public eye, for a long time. Despite this, I'm increasingly terrified by what people post online. I have the impression it's heading in a very bad direction."
It surprises me that people who only saw me when I was 10 or 12 are suddenly being asked what I'm "really" like and what I should be doing with my life or on the court. It's a bit like asking a kindergarten teacher who knew a child for a year what they're like as an adult—it's absurd. The internet doesn't work logically. It doesn't allow for mistakes or time to understand something. It simply judges—and does so very harshly.
This, of course, isn't a pleasant part of my job. Regarding journalism, I think many articles are written for business reasons—for money, statistics, page views, and catchy or even false headlines. It's absurd, but unfortunately, that's the reality. I don't know if it can change. I wish there were more people in Poland who truly understand tennis and approach it more rationally. Most of those quoted in the media have never even been to a tournament. After all, only my closest friends know my doubts, what I want to improve, and what I want to focus on in the future. Sometimes, like now, I have the opportunity to talk a little about it, but most of the time I have to focus on myself, not explain what tennis is all about. I want to be focused on myself. I think we deserve some space and basic respect—both me and the team that got me to this point and helped me achieve so many great results.
Unfortunately, this respect is sorely lacking on the Internet and in some media, which is simply sad.
What role does your psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, play in your team? This has sparked much debate due to the intense attention paid to your collaboration. Many people feel you're too close and that her role is too important.
"I decide who I work with. And honestly, most of the negative things I saw somewhere—I try not to read into it, but something's getting through to me—were just fake news and theories made up to cause confusion."
People have no idea what it's like – I'm the one making the decisions about collaboration. Of course, I can ask my team members for their opinion – and I do if I need to – because I have very experienced people around me: from the management team to the people I spend weeks on tour with, like Maciek [Ryszczuk], my physical conditioning coach, and Daria as my mental conditioning coach.
Regarding the articles about Daria - for years she was credited with my success on the court, as it was possible thanks to, among other things, mental strength, and now, with the decline in form and results, suddenly she is to blame.
But I try to base my decisions on my own judgment, because only then can I truly believe in them and be convinced that it's the right choice. Although a coach should be the leader of the team, I try to be that leader and lead my team.
Okay. Let's talk about books. They can save us. Where did your passion for books come from?
"It started very early because my parents encouraged me to read. I always enjoyed it. Books gave me a different perspective on life and allowed me to learn different ways of approaching life. When I read about a character, I could identify with them if I needed or wanted to. Ever since I was a child, I've always found something in books that interested me. If there was a strong female protagonist, I really enjoyed it. For example, in 'The Hunger Games.' Or if a book had historical themes and the action took place, say, 400 years ago, I'd try to learn a bit of history along the way. Books are a great way to unwind and "turn off my head." They helped me maintain balance during difficult times. When I sometimes went a month without reading, I'd stop and wonder if there was something wrong with me, since I couldn't even find the time to read."
Fortunately, this hasn't happened to me in recent years. I'm in a good reading rhythm. I usually combine it with watching TV series, but now I just read, and I really enjoy it.
What are you reading now?
- I shouldn't say because I'm planning to post a reading challenge about this book, so I'll keep it a secret for now.
Good decision. So, do you have a favorite book?
"I can't choose just one. When it comes to fantasy, when I was younger, I loved "The Hunger Games." When it comes to crime novels, I love the "Millennium" series and Camilla Läckberg's books. When it comes to historical novels, I love mainly Ken Follett. I really like Jane Austen. Besides, at different times in life, you need different things—sometimes something lighter, sometimes more serious."
I saw you've read "The Sting." It seems like a simple novel, yet it's complex, isn't it? What drew you to it?
"At first, I liked how the author changed his style in different chapters. You could see him writing from the perspective of a ten-year-old, then a teenager, and then adults, some more educated, others a little less so, with different lifestyles. Later, I liked how he tied all these stories together. How he revisited the past. And then how he tied them all together and finished with a high C in terms of intensity. The emotional peak is such that you can't sit still, you have to read, you can't put it down. At the end, everything happens. And then there's the unfinished ending."
Say no more. Don't spoil anything. Do you read, for example, the new American prose, neorealism?
"I've read American classics. 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' 'Gone with the Wind.' 'Gone with the Wind' was wonderful. These are books you simply have to know. I don't really care, I admit, whether it's an American, British, or French book, because I like them all. Italian, Spanish too. I read everything. I don't focus on one particular country."
My daughter asked me to tell you that if you liked "The Sting," you should definitely pick up Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom." And my favorite: Barbara Kingsolver's "Damon Copperhead."- I'm writing down Franzen. I've read "Copperhead."
If I understand correctly, you described tennis as a kind of mental game. Does literature help you cope with this?- Hmm, reading helps me relax better, but it also teaches me to concentrate.
There are so many things going on these days that we often do several things at once. Meanwhile, tennis, reading, or playing an instrument, for example, require complete concentration to do them well and derive pleasure from them. Therefore, this is a great way to practice concentration. When you get into a good rhythm while reading, the feeling is similar. Sometimes I don't even notice I've read 50 pages. It can be the same on the court – once I get into a rhythm, I suddenly realize I've already played three games and won most of the points.
Do your rivals read too? Is that common?"Good question... We tend to read in hotels, not on the courts, so I don't know the details.
Beatriz Haddad Maia reads a lot. She recommended a lot of books to me last year."
Do you exchange books?- No, because she reads Portuguese and I read Polish. We share titles.
We seem to be experiencing a tennis boom in Poland, and parents want their daughters to be just like you. How do you become a tennis star in Poland? And do you consider yourself Polish, or are female tennis players more cosmopolitan?
"We spend a lot of time at international tournaments, so we could live in different places. But it's always good to have a home base, a place to come back to—so I definitely feel Polish. However, if someone told me that in 10 years I'd be living in Sydney or Italy, I wouldn't be surprised."
How do you become a tennis player in Poland? That's a difficult question. When I started, there wasn't a well-developed system. I never received a wild card. I always had to fight my way into the tournament. There were many ups and downs along the way. I was quite lucky, because so many things could have gone wrong. My dad had to find a way to guide me himself—through various coaches, through financial difficulties. That's why I feel very fortunate to be where I am at all.
Is tennis still an elite sport in Poland?
"I think so. In my case, everything was financed by my dad. He had to pay for the courts and the coaches. When I was a child, we literally used every minute on the court – because of the hourly rate. There was no time to waste. The same with the coach. There were times when we didn't have the money to continue my training and competitions. My dad had to look for different solutions. Generally speaking, people who believe in you are very important. Because if a coach only cares about money, you might not find it in Poland. But if you find a coach who truly believes, guides, and supports you in difficult moments, it's incredibly lucky. I had such people close to me. Without them, I wouldn't have made it this far – I wouldn't have even passed the first stage. So a huge part of the credit goes to my dad for finding a way for me to keep going."
Well, there's an important thing to say about tennis – it's the sport with the greatest gender equality, the sport of Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. Do you think the same way about it?"Of course. He was a pioneer in bringing about change for women. This is where the transformation in women's sports began. There were many pioneers in tennis, and without them, we wouldn't be where we are today. Now, other sports—like the women's NBA or women's
soccer —are driving change. They have their own incredible stories and players who capture the imagination."
We've talked about how tennis is an elite sport, how it creates stars. But even stars need their personal time. How do you spend your time in Warsaw, in Raszyn? Do you go to the cinema, take walks, do you have time for that?- Not in Raszyn anymore, because I moved out of my family home. The last time I went to the cinema was in December. Luckily, the cinema is dark, so I was hoping for a little more privacy.
Did you have any?
- Yes, absolutely.
I was with my friends. The only light in front of us was a popcorn box, which was glowing reflectively.
I don't go out to restaurants very often. It's more convenient to invite people over. During the season, we have the opportunity to eat at amazing restaurants all over the world, and when I'm in Warsaw, I'd rather have home-cooked food or something I've made myself, although I'm not a very good cook, so I usually eat what my friends have prepared. I spend this time rather quietly and peacefully. Sometimes I'll go on a bike ride, but I generally avoid walking in the capital. Recently, while riding my bike, someone shouted "Iga! Iga!" behind me, so I can feel the interest.
What about life on the road? When you arrive at a hotel—after all, you go to almost the same places every year—you have your own suite, the staff welcomes you, and you feel a bit like home?"It depends on the place. In some, I'm just a regular guest. There are hotels that invite us in. Then it's very nice. We can ask for the same room as last year. Or a different one, because after years of staying in the same places, the same room can get a little boring. In Rome, I've been staying in the same hotel for years. Not even because it's outstanding. It's the location – I know exactly how long it will take me to walk to the store to buy vegetables or some fruit. It's convenient. I don't have to think about anything or look it up on a map. I usually have my favorite places and try to stay in them to make life more pleasant during my constant travels."
Now you're going away for a short time, but sometimes you go on really long trips. What do you take with you then? How many books?
"Luckily, I have a Kindle. But I used to have a real problem when I only read in print. I once took books on a trip that didn't grab me, and I stopped after 50 pages. That's why I switched to a Kindle."
We take a lot of luggage with us. Especially Maciek [Ryszczuk's] physiotherapy equipment. The warm-up bag alone, which we use every day before training, weighs 10 kilos. Besides the obvious, I also regularly change my wardrobe. I should probably have more, but I admit I have my favorites. I don't mind wearing something again. I don't replace clothes after one wear, like some celebrities. Sometimes I also change my jewelry
The next tournament is in Stuttgart. Is this a home tournament for you?
"It's the first clay-court tournament of the season, so you can settle into the rhythm a bit more easily and get a feel for the surface. It's unique and demanding. I like going back there, getting a feel for the court and the ball, focusing on the game, and not overanalyzing everything. The tournament is short—you arrive, play your matches, enjoy it, and then leave. There's no long wait between matches like in other tournaments. This gives it a different atmosphere—it's more dynamic."
The atmosphere there is always amazing. It's actually the only indoor tournament I play in. When the stadium is closed, I feel the crowd much more. It's very pleasant. It's also elegant. The fans are interested in tennis and know how to cheer on the players. It's the closest tournament to Poland that I play in, so many Polish fans often come there. I'm always happy to play there.
