Iga Swiatek has had a tough start to 2026, made worse by poor results at the Sunshine Swing. The Pole lost to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Open and in her opening round of the Miami Open to fellow countrywoman Magda Linette.
Now back home in Poland for some much-needed time off the WTA circuit, Swiatek gave an exclusive interview to Sport.pl, where she discussed many aspects of her life, both on and off the court. Swiatek reflected on her ongoing struggles on court and how she was being criticized for her recent results.
“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,” Swiatek said.
“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… Regarding journalism, I think many articles are written for business reasons—for money, statistics, page views, and catchy or even false headlines,” she added.
“After all, only my closest friends know my doubts, what I want to improve, and what I want to focus on in the future… 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,” Swiatek concluded.
Swiatek will now resume play on the tour with the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, from April 13. She has twice won the WTA 500 claycourt event and will now aim to return to form before the WTA 1000 events of the clay season, which culminate in the French Open.
Iga Swiatek Feels Homely While Playing in Stuttgart
In the same interview, the World No. 4 was asked whether she considered the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart a home tournament due to its proximity to Poland. Swiatek responded that she loves to play in Stuttgart, and the venue’s proximity to her homeland draws many Polish fans to the arena.
“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,” Swiatek said.
“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,” she added.
“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,” Swiatek concluded.
After Stuttgart, Swiatek will travel to Madrid for the first WTA 1000 event of the claycourt season, which will feature all the top names in men’s and women’s tennis.
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