Former World No.4 Has Theory About What’s Stopping Iga Swiatek From Playing to Her Full Potential: “She’s Losing Against Herself”

What’s stopping Iga Swiatek from producing dominating performances? The six-time Grand Slam champion, who once used to win titles one after the other and spent 125 weeks at the top of the rankings table, is struggling to reach finals, let alone win titles.

This season, twice the Pole suffered opening-round exits (in Miami and Bad Homburg). The only time she reached the semifinal was at the Italian Open, where her run was ended by eventual champion Elina Svitolina.

Then at Wimbledon, where she double-bageled Amanda Anisimova in the final last year, Swiatek was overwhelmed by emotions after her tough first-round win over Taylor Townsend. She eventually crashed out in the third round with a straight-set defeat at the hands of Alexandra Eala.

However, Swiatek can once again reach the top of the rankings table, believes Dominika Cibulkova, a former World No.4 and the runner-up at the 2014 Australian Open. Cibulkova thinks she knows what’s stopping Swiatek from playing to her full potential.

I am cheering for Iga Swiatek. I think the matches when she’s losing, she’s losing against herself. So, I think when she’s there mentally, and when she’s ready, and when she’s tough and strong, there are not many players that can beat her. It’s all about confidence. Of course, you have to train hard and practise a lot, but yes, the confidence…if you are not in the right mood, you can lose the confidence by one match.

Dominika Cibulkova told Tennis365

Swiatek was dethroned from the No.1 ranking by Aryna Sabalenka toward the end of the 2024 season. Because Swiatek was provisionally suspended after failing a drug test, she missed the entire Asian swing. She got back to the No.2 spot, but after her failed title defense at Wimbledon, she is ranked 8th.

I think, for sure, she can get back to number one. I’m pretty sure that she can get back there.

Dominika Cibulkova added

Swiatek will next be seen in action at the Canadian Open, the main draw of which starts on August 2. She is a one-time semifinalist in the tournament, reaching the stage in 2023.

Dominika Cibulkova picks her favorite player between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka, like Iga Swiatek, is also experiencing a bit of a slump in form. Since completing the Sunshine Double title, she has not yet reached a final. She failed to defend her title in Madrid, suffered a quarterfinal exit at the French Open, and at Wimbledon, fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka ended her run in the fourth round.

The Belarusian ace will also be next competing at the Canadian Open, where she reached one semifinal in 2021. Sabalenka skipped the tournament last year. Dominika Cibulkova, during that aforementioned interview with Tennis365, revealed who her favorite player is between Sabalenka and Swiatek.

Yes, Sabalenka is strong. When I look from my perspective… I played against her when I was finishing my career, and she’s a powerhouse. She’s a great player, but my favorite is Swiatek.

Dominika Cibulkova

Sabalenka has so far lifted three titles this season. Before the Sunshine Double, she won the Brisbane International and also reached the final of the Australian Open, only to lose to Elena Rybakina.

At the US Open, she will be competing as the defending champion. Sabalenka has to perform exceptionally well in North America to avoid losing her No.1 ranking. She has 8,550 points, while second-ranked Rybakina has 8,143 points.

Swiatek last lifted a title at the 2025 Korea Open. Last year, apart from titles at Wimbledon and Seoul, she also won the Cincinnati Open and reached the final of the Bad Homburg Open.

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