Iga Swiatek Hits Back at Critics After Canadian Open Win: “The Unnecessary Noise Angers Me”

Iga Swiatek has finally ended her title drought. She struggled a lot in every tournament she played before arriving in Toronto for the Canadian Open, and as a result, she had to deal with a lot of hateful comments.

Before this tournament, she had made just one semifinal, and it was at the Italian Open, where eventual champion Elina Svitolina ousted her. Swiatek took her revenge and beat her in the semifinals of this event, taking a 5-3 head-to-head lead.

Then, in the final, she breezed past Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3, and used this opportunity to hit back at everyone who targeted her with negative comments when she was struggling, saying during the trophy presentation, “I want to dedicate this title to all those people who are being judged unfairly or who have to deal with hate.” And later at the press conference, she spoke more about the haters and how their “unnecessary” criticism affects athletes.

Well, I didn’t feel emotional during the tournament. I think now, after winning, I allowed myself to feel a little because, as I said in the speech, there are many things that athletes, and not just athletes, have to fight against. Sometimes we have to fight against things we shouldn’t have to. That’s why I’m even prouder of myself because I focused on my path and didn’t let that define me. I believed in myself, and I know the value of my game.

Swiatek admitted that blocking out the hate is not at all an easy thing to do. But throughout this process, she was focused on growing and progressing, believing that if she keeps persevering, good days will eventually come.

The same thing happened after Wimbledon when I started training on hard courts. I feel that I have worked hard despite all that noise, that unnecessary noise, and that is what angers me. Because it shouldn’t be this way, and it doesn’t have to be this way.

Iga Swiatek added

It was her first title since the 2025 Korea Open. Swiatek now has 12 WTA 1000 titles to her name.

Iga Swiatek credits deep focus after her win in Toronto

Elena Rybakina is one of the few players who challenged Iga Swiatek when the six-time Grand Slam champion was at the height of her power. Swiatek, who has now improved her head-to-head record over the Kazakh ace to 7-6, said the main reason behind her win was that she kept distractions at bay and focused only on the task at hand.

I think the key is concentration and not letting your mind go to places that could distract you in a final because you can feel the pressure. You know you have to give your all if you want to win the tournament because in the final you’re facing the best player. I just try to focus on that. Obviously, sometimes it’s impossible.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Rybakina, en route to the final, spent around 11 and a half hours on court, having won three matches in three sets, including against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals and her fellow two-time Grand Slam singles champion Coco Gauff in the semifinal.

Next is the Cincinnati, where the 25-year-old will be competing as the defending champion (she beat Jasmine Paolini last year). Rybakina is a one-time semifinalist in the tournament (reached last year). She will dethrone Aryna Sabalenka from the No.1 ranking if she has a better campaign in Cincinnati and the Belarusian ace, who last played a final in Miami this year, loses early.

Also read: Rennae Stubbs Claims Alexandra Eala’s Fans ‘Don’t Understand Tennis Etiquette’ After Her Canadian Open Exit