In 2020, Iga Swiatek announced herself to the tennis world when she won the French Open at Roland-Garros without dropping a set throughout the tournament. She was the first Polish player, male or female, to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Iga Swiatek’s Early Years and Rise to Stardom
Swiatek's family had a major influence on her path to success from a very young age. She was born into a sports-oriented family in Warsaw. Her father Tomasz, who represented Poland in rowing at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, strongly encouraged her to pursue a career in sports.
The Polish tennis player won her first professional tournament in Stockholm in 2016 and continued to excel. In 2018, before turning 18, she won the girls' doubles at Roland-Garros, the singles title at Wimbledon, and a gold medal in doubles at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
Iga Swiatek's breakthrough at the 2020 French Open
With her breakthrough moment at the 2020 French Open, Swiatek became a Grand Slam champion for the first time. She stunned the tennis world by defeating top seed Simona Halep in the fourth round. And her victory over Sofia Kenin in the final saw her complete one of the most significant upsets in tennis history. She had entered the tournament ranked 54th and became the lowest-ranked French Open champion since computer rankings were introduced in 1975.
Iga Swiatek's Continued Success and Sports Psychologist
The Polish star continued her upward trajectory in 2021, building on her Paris triumph. She claimed titles at the Adelaide International and the Italian Open, propelling her into the Top 15 of the WTA rankings. She then made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games where she reached the second round.
During the first half of 2022, Swiatek achieved an incredible 37-match winning streak. She regained her French Open title and won prestigious events like the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, Stuttgart Open, and Italian Open. French player Alizé Cornet ended her remarkable streak in the third round at Wimbledon. Swiatek also won her first US Open title as she reached number one in the singles rankings.
Both triumphs and challenges have marked her journey in tennis. She has been candid about the mental struggles and demands of competing at the highest level. To bolster her mental fortitude, she enlisted the expertise of Daria Abramowicz, a sports psychologist who has become an integral part of her coaching team. Abramowicz travels with the player during tournaments, helping her enhance her mental resilience and performance.
Swiatek has emphasised the importance of having her psychologist alongside her, as it has facilitated a deep understanding of her reactions to victories and defeats, ultimately contributing to her remarkable career development.