Iga Swiatek Faces Harsh Reality After Italian Open Exit as She Makes ‘Stupid’ Remark About Roland Garros Hopes
Iga Swiatek last won a title at the 2024 Roland Garros and since then, has failed to progress to a final.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
Iga Swiatek‘s trophy-less season continues. She was expected to end her trophy drought at the Italian Open, but she was no match for Danielle Collins in the second round.
On Saturday (May 10), Swiatek’s Italian Open came to an end with a 6-1, 7-5 defeat to Collins, who registered her second victory over the Pole in their nine encounters. Following the upset, a dejected Swiatek said she was unsure of her chances at the Roland Garros.
Obviously, it would be stupid to expect much from Roland Garros because I am not in a position to play my game at this moment. I have spoken with my team, and they have given me some advice. I will try to apply it because I need to change my mentality.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
It was at the 2024 Roland Garros where the 23-year-old last lifted a title. Since then, she failed to reach the final. It was also her fourth and third consecutive victory at Roland Garros, prior to which, she defeated World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the finals of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open.
These were three of the five titles she lifted on the clay swing last year. The ongoing Italian Open is the first tournament this season where Swiatek was unsuccessful in reaching the quarterfinal. Before Rome, Swiatek was defeated in the semifinals of the Madrid Open by Coco Gauff.
The defeat also ended her winning streak of 26 consecutive matches in the fourth round of WTA 1000 events. The last time she was defeated in a round of 16 match was at the 2021 Cincinnati Open by Ons Jabeur.
Iga Swiatek’s Italian Open exit called a massive shock by Marion Bartoli
Iga Swiatek was chasing her fourth victory at the Italian Open. Apart from last year, she lifted the last WTA 1000 tournament on the European clay swing in 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, her campaign in the Spanish capital came to an end due to an injury as she gave a walkover to eventual winner, Elena Rybakina, in the quarterfinals. Following her defeat to Danielle Collins, former World No.7 Marion Bartoli gave her verdict on Swiatek’s defeat.
It’s a massive shock. To see Iga Swiatek going out so early in a clay court tournament before a Grand Slam, which is Roland Garros, when she is defending champion, is the biggest shock. She was struggling so much on the return of serve.
Marion Bartoli told Sky Sports
The win over Swiatek was Collins’ first top 10 win in more than a year. She also beat a top 2 player for the third time in her career after Ash Barty and Angelique Kerber. Collins, who prior to knocking out Swiatek, defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse, has set up a fourth-round clash with Elina Svitolina. The American edges 2-1 against the Ukrainian in the head-to-head clash.
Five years ago, a then 18-year-old Swiatek was defeated in the first round of the Italian Open. But since then, she has lost only one match (the quarterfinal defeat to Elena Rybakina in 2023). Before her match against Collins, Swiatek had won 21 of her last 22 matches in the tournament, registering a winning percentage of 91.3- the second-highest after 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Chris Evert (92.3).
Iga Swiatek drops to No.4 after Italian Open exit
Swiatek occupied the No.1 and No.2 position for more than three years. But on Monday, the five-time Grand Slam champion will be the World No.4 player.
Win or no win at the Italian Open, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff will be above Swiatek on the rankings table. Jasmine Paolini, who is occupying the fifth position, will move to No.4 if she ends the tournament in her favor.
Also read: Coco Gauff Bitterly Complains About the Italian Open’s Slow Conditions After Opening Round Victory
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