Iga Swiatek felt she ‘didn’t belong’ on WTA Tour and ‘literally’ wanted to go back to ITFs after playing her first tournament
Iga Swiatek played her first tournament on the WTA Tour at the 2019 ASB Classic where she failed to qualify for the main draw.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via X)
Iga Swiatek is in Australia for the 2025 season and recently participated in the United Cup, helping Team Poland reach the final for the second time on the trot. But in the final, she and compatriot Hubert Hurkacz failed to guide the team to success after defeat to Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz respectively.
Swiatek, since turning pro in 2016, has been adding important titles to her trophy cabinet. She won her first Grand Slam title at the 2020 French Open and lifted four more Majors.
Swiatek, who is now dominating on the tour, played her first tournament on the WTA Tour in 2019, at the ASB Classic, and failed to qualify for the main draw. Because of her disappointing experience, the five-time Grand Slam champion wanted to go back to playing ITFs.
But I remember the first tournament I played in Auckland, I literally told my coach I don’t belong here. Let’s go back to ITFs. But then I went to the Australian Open and managed to get through quailes and go to the second round and then the fourth round of Roland Garros.
Iga Swiatek told Tennis Insider Club
Following a disappointing campaign at the 2019 ASB Classic, Swiatek made her debut in the main draw of the 2019 Australian Open and reached the second round. The transition to the WTA Tour was difficult for the Pole but she felt comfortable after a few months. On the ITF circuit, Swiatek won the seven finals she reached.
Iga Swiatek cried after signing her first sponsorship deal
Iga Swiatek is often seen getting emotional when she feels extreme pressure while playing. In the aforementioned podcast, the 23-year-old revealed how she put so much pressure on herself after signing her first major sponsor.
I remember getting my first, like patch sponsor, and a big, big deal, you know, and it was so much pressure for me, during my first matches, because I was like, ‘Oh my god, I have this, this sponsor now…they want me to succeed’. I cried for like a day because I thought like I disappointed them, you know, why did they invest like so much money in me if I’m losing?
Iga Swiatek said
Swiatek has gone on to sign many multi-millionaire deals with multiple sponsors and gone on to become one of the most marketable athletes on the planet. One of the sponsorship deals is with the $1.59 billion brand On. This sponsor is famous for being co-owned by Swiss tennis great, Roger Federer.
Swiatek was also under huge pressure during her United Cup final against Coco Gauff. Her childhood friend, Maja Chwalinska, a World No. 128 held ice packs on her head and also made her laugh. Swiatek hasn’t won a title since her victory at the 2024 French Open and will be hoping to clinch her first Australian Open which starts on January 12.
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Gouri Das
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