Iga Swiatek Faces Uncertainty Ahead of French Open Defence
World number one Iga Swiatek is set to return to action at the French Open today, taking on Rebecca Sramkova in the first round, but her form on clay this season has been a major concern. The 23-year-old Pole has won the last three titles at Roland Garros, but her underwhelming performances have raised questions about her ability to claim a fifth title.
According to a report by the Express, Swiatek has struggled to find her footing on the clay courts this season. Her most recent competitive match was a shock defeat to Danielle Collins in the third round of the Italian Open in early May. Prior to that, she was thrashed 6-1, 6-1 by Coco Gauff in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open and lost to Jelena Ostapenko in the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open in April.
Swiatek’s partnership with psychologist Daria Abramowicz has been well-documented, and the two have been working together since 2019 when Swiatek was just 17 years old. The Express reports that this partnership has been credited with helping Swiatek become one of the best players in the world. Swiatek has already claimed five Grand Slam titles, including her first French Open title in 2020 and the 2022 US Open.
However, Polish sports psychologist Dariusz Nowicki has raised concerns about Swiatek’s relationship with Abramowicz, telling Interia Sport that it was "disturbed". Nowicki explained, "If we were to look at this relationship only and exclusively from the point of view of strictly psychological workshop, then it is indeed a disturbed relationship, in which certain boundaries of professional distance between the psychologist and the client are crossed."
The Express quotes Nowicki as saying that a certain psychological distance is essential in the relationship between a psychologist and their client. "Someone in this group must maintain some common sense and emotional self-control, and the psychologist should be such a person the most. While coaches allow themselves to have quite big emotions in starting situations, being a co-participant in this event, a psychologist professionally involved in sports psychology should be able to keep their distance and not get involved in emotions. Only then will they be able to function effectively within their professional competencies."
Swiatek has previously enjoyed an extended period as world number one and will be looking to prove her doubters wrong as she begins her French Open campaign. As the Express reports, Swiatek’s form on clay this season has been a major concern, but the Pole will be hoping to draw on her experience and expertise to navigate the challenges ahead.
In her Indian Wells semi-final defeat to Mirra Andreeva in March, Swiatek appeared to slam a ball towards her team in frustration before apologising for her actions. This incident, combined with her recent form, has raised questions about Swiatek’s mental preparation and her relationship with Abramowicz. As the Express notes, Swiatek will need to address these concerns if she is to mount a successful defence of her French Open title.
The French Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the tennis calendar, and Swiatek will be looking to prove that she has what it takes to succeed at the highest level. With her talent and experience, she remains one of the favourites to win the title, but she will need to overcome her recent form and mental challenges if she is to emerge victorious. As the Express reports, all eyes will be on Swiatek as she begins her French Open campaign today.
