“I Decide Who’s in It!” Iga Swiatek Lambasts Critics Blaming Psychologist Daria Abramowicz for Her Trophy Drought
Iga Swiatek is in Rome for the Italian Open, where she will be bidding to win her fourth title as well as end her trophy drought.
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Iga Swiatek, Daria Abramowicz (Image via Politkya X/Swiatekiramisu)
Iga Swiatek‘s psychologist Daria Abramowicz has always faced harsh criticism from tennis fans as well as from the media. Swiatek is dealing with a slump in her form and many have blamed Abramowicz for it.
Some critics think Abramowicz has not done the job of a psychologist properly after Swiatek’s doping saga which negatively affected the Pole. But the five-time Grand Slam champion reminded the critics that Abramowicz along with other members of the team have helped her become a top player, also lambasting the media for making the situation more difficult for her to deal with.
Daria is a constant source of support for me, someone I trust. In fact, I trust my entire team, and I want people around to know that. This is my team – I decide who’s in it! The recent media pressure doesn’t create space for calm and focused work. On the contrary, it creates additional, unnecessary stress.
Iga Swiatek told reporters at the Italian Open
Abramowicz joined Swiatek’s team when she was 17 years old. Since then, Swiatek went on to become one of the best players, lifting five Majors and spending more than 100 weeks as a World No.1 player. Swiatek, however, has failed to win a title since winning the 2024 French Open. She also was unsuccessful in reaching the final since then.
This year, she has reached every quarterfinal, including at the Madrid Open, where she beat reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys despite losing the first set 6-0. Swiatek, however, was handed a double-breadstick in the semifinals by Coco Gauff, who registered her third consecutive and fourth overall victory over the World No.2 in their 15th meeting.
Iga Swiatek rubbishes claims of her skipping Wimbledon
Reports about Iga Swiatek skipping Wimbledon after the French Open emerged a few days ago. But ahead of the Italian Open, when Swiatek was asked in the press conference to comment if it’s true, she declared that all these reports are false.
I understand it’s part of the job…but of course, I am not going to skip Wimbledon. I want to learn to play better on grass. Each year is a new opportunity for that. I will play Wimbledon, of course, as long as I am not injured.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
Swiatek has won four French Open titles and one US Open. At the Australian Open, she produced her best when she advanced to the semifinals in 2022 and 2025. But at Wimbledon, Swiatek has not yet reached the last four.
Her best performance in the tournament came in 2023 when she reached the quarterfinals. Swiatek is a 22-time singles titlist, 12 of those trophies she lifted on hard courts, while the rest of them came on the red dirt. This means she has yet to take home a grass-court title.
Iga Swiatek is projected to lock horns with Aryna Sabalenka in the final
Iga Swiatek will be entering the Italian Open as a three-time champion, and also the defending champion. Last year, she breezed past Aryna Sabalenka in the final. She could set up her 13th head-to-head clash with the three-time Grand Slam singles champion if both of them reach the final.
But before that, she could meet Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinals. Against the Latvian, the 23-year-old has not yet won a match in their six meetings. Ostapenko also ended Swiatek’s run at the Stuttgart Open with a three-set win in the quarterfinals.
Swiatek first lifted the Italian Open in 2021 and defended her crown the following season. In 2023, however, she gave a walkover to eventual winner Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.
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