Iga Świątek Suffers Rare Defeat in Madrid as Pressure Mounts
Polish tennis star Iga Świątek is still searching for her best form in 2025, and the pressure is mounting. Despite being the second-ranked player in the world, Świątek has yet to claim a title on the clay courts this season, a rare occurrence for the usually dominant player. According to reports from Interia.pl, Świątek’s recent performances have been below par, with the player herself acknowledging the weight of expectation on her shoulders.
"It’s clear that the pressure is affecting me," Świątek was quoted as saying in an interview with Interia.pl. "I require victories from myself, and it’s not easy to deal with that kind of pressure." The 2025 season got off to a rocky start for Świątek, with the player struggling to find her footing on the clay courts. However, her performance at the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid offered some encouraging signs, including a convincing win over Linda Nosková.
Świątek’s quarter-final match against Madison Keys proved to be a tougher challenge than expected. The American player, who sensationally won the Australian Open earlier this year, pushed Świątek to her limits. The match got off to a disastrous start for the Polish player, who was swiftly dominated by Keys and found herself 0-5 down in the first set. In a moment of frustration, Świątek hurled her racket to the ground in a display of exasperation. She ultimately lost the set 0-6, a scoreline that has not been seen in her matches for some time.
The last time Świątek lost a set to love was in June 2021, when she was beaten by Daria Kasatkina on the grass courts of Eastbourne. That match ended in a 4-6, 0-6, 1-6 defeat for Świątek, marking a rare off-day for the player. According to Interia.pl, it has been 1409 days since Świątek last suffered a set loss of this magnitude.
In the midst of a challenging period, Świątek’s coach and support team will be working hard to help her regain her confidence and form. The player herself has acknowledged that she is going through a tough time, stating: "This was probably the worst time in my life." Despite the setback, Świątek remains one of the top players in the world, and her fans will be hoping that she can bounce back from this defeat.
As the clay court season continues, Świątek will be looking to rediscover her winning form and silence her critics. The pressure may be mounting, but the Polish player has shown time and time again that she has the talent and determination to succeed at the highest level. With her sights set on future tournaments, Świątek will be working hard to ensure that she is back to her best in no time.
As reported by Interia.pl, Świątek’s performance in Madrid provided some positive signs, but ultimately, she was unable to overcome the challenge posed by Keys. The defeat serves as a reminder that even the top players in the world can have an off-day, and Świątek will be looking to put this setback behind her as she continues her campaign on the clay courts.
The news provider, Interia.pl, has been following Świątek’s progress closely, and their expert analysis suggests that the Polish player is due a break-out performance soon. Only time will tell if Świątek can regain her form and start winning titles again, but one thing is certain – she will be working hard to get back to the top of her game.
(Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek images sourced from Getty Images, AP and AFP)
