“It was so hard…” Iga Swiatek’s psychologist Daria Abramowicz reveals what went through their team’s mind when everyone expected Iga to win Roland Garros

Swiatek's mental coach opens up about the struggles the team endured during the French Open.

“It was so hard…” Iga Swiatek’s psychologist Daria Abramowicz reveals what went through their team’s mind when everyone expected Iga to win Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek's psychologist, Abramowicz, on her French Open run (Images via Imago/X)

Iga Swiatek has always paid heed to mental health and discipline, crediting a lot of her success to her team, which includes the traveling physiologist, Daria Abramowicz. 

Abramowicz has been by Swiatek‘s side for a couple of years now and has supported her throughout the 2024 French Open. In an interview with Tennis Majors, Abramowicz elaborated on what the team had to endure as Swiatek was the favorite to win the tournament.

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Swiatek’s methodical and disciplined approach has earned her many successes, and Abramowicz believes discipline is the key to this. The Polish psychologist emphasized its importance, quoting Sally Jenkins, who said that discipline is freedom, as Swiatek has displayed. She also outlines the simple game plan that they followed to keep Swiatek focused and confident.

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I can see so many things in every single point. Sally Jenkins, in the book The Right Call, wrote this one sentence that stuck with me forever: ‘Discipline means freedom,’ so if you ask me one thing I see: it’s discipline. Everyone was giving her the trophy after Rome already. Then again here when Aryna and Elena lost. Which is tough. You can stay in your zone, focused and disciplined, but it will come to you day after day. You will listen to it and see it.

Daria Abramowicz said to Tennis Majors

Abramowicz also outlines the simple game plan that they followed to keep Swiatek focused and confident. Being the best pick at a tournament comes with immense pressure to perform and Abramowicz has proven to greatly help Swiatek with this.

The key was: being close to yourself, remembering what you wanted to do, keeping your standards high and your expectations low. I am proud of her, because it was so hard. From that perspective, I’m 100% sure it’ll empower her.
Daria Abramowicz added

The psychologist believes their planned work that is methodically followed brings about work-life balance, contrary to what many think.

Iga Swiatek’s mental coach justifies her team’s emotionless state during her matches

Despite playing a major role in her success, the World No.1’s team has faced some slack from onlookers and netizens for looking grim and emotionless during her matches. 

Iga Swiatek with team
Iga Swiatek with her team (Via Imago)

Swiatek’s psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, addressed the issue in the same interview and justified the team’s serious demeanor during matches, admitting that Swiatek prefers to have it that way.

I know that sometimes people are making fun of us in the player’s box because we’re not smiling but this is what our player expects us to do as well: focus on the work and then we’ll enjoy and have something to celebrate.
Daria Abramowicz said

She believes the team must do what Swiatek wants, as it helps her feel more comfortable. It is also justified as they ask Swiatek to follow the game plans that they draft.

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