Iga Swiatek let out nearly a year of pent-up emotion on Thursday night, clinching her first title in 11 months with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina at the Canadian Open. But her reaction—screaming at her team, pointing to her head, and furiously pumping her fist—was notable for its anger, which she later attributed to the doubtful and disapproving voices she has faced throughout her difficult period, particularly from viewers and media in Poland.
Swiatek's frustration boils over
“After I won, I kind of let myself feel it [anger] a little bit because there are plenty of things that athletes, not only athletes, all the people have to struggle with,” she said. “Sometimes we need to fight things that we shouldn’t.”
Swiatek, one of Poland's most famous athletes, has struggled with fame and the constant scrutiny that comes with it. She rarely goes out in her home country, only visiting friends' apartments or inviting them over, to avoid being watched. Last year, she had to negotiate with paparazzi who photographed her apartment building.
Dealing with paparazzi and public criticism
“I can accept it when it’s like at work or when I’m going to practise and everything, but for example, like when it’s close to my home or when I’m having just a walk with a friend or with a family member I’d rather them not doing that, because it’s my time off,” she said. “I had an incident, actually, after Miami, when I was home, when paparazzi followed me almost to my apartment. But I stopped them, and I said: ‘OK, tomorrow I’m going to practise. You can make photos of me when I go there, but this is off limits.’ So also they kind of understand sometimes. And I think I understand what their job is about, and we can have a nice, even cooperation if they want to be supportive.”
While Swiatek has accepted fame, she refuses to tolerate the additional scrutiny. She receives significant social media abuse and harsh criticism from her home country, which has intensified during her more challenging past two years on tour. One major point of contention has been her relationship with her team, including her psychologist, Daria Abramowicz.
A message for young athletes
Asked why so much negativity comes from home, Swiatek said: “That’s an interesting question, I think, for a sociologist or someone, because honestly, it’s not only in Poland, but in Great Britain as well, in different countries, for different sports, not only for individual athletes.”
“There is unfair judgment from different parts coming to us, and we need to handle it. For sure, last month I faced it, my team faced it. My goal was for it to not interrupt my process and define who I am. Being sure about my decisions, not letting this disrupt anything and focus on growing because it’s just the world that we live in. It shouldn’t be like that so I took yesterday’s opportunity to just talk about it a little bit more even if it helps one person, or one young athlete knows that we all try to do something with it, maybe it will help a little bit.”
No time to savor the win
The win marked Swiatek's first title alongside new coach Francisco Roig, but she had no time to savor it. After finishing her press duties around 10pm on Thursday, she packed her bags and took a private jet to Cincinnati by midday Friday, provided by the tournament, to prepare for her title defense in Ohio.
“It’s intense, but it’s OK,” said Swiatek. “I’ll find my time to appreciate what happened and to be grateful about it, for sure. Because without it, it doesn’t make sense to keep going. You need to get a taste of these moments and remember them.”
