Roger Federer’s Ex-Coach Believes Iga Swiatek Is Struggling “Between Her Ears” and The “Mental Aspects” of Her Game
Iga Swiatek has reached the quarter-finals of all the tournaments she has featured in this season, but failed to reach a final.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
Iga Swiatek has yet to reach a tour-level final this season, despite reaching the quarter-final of all seven tournaments she’s played in. The Polish star has just struggled to get past the finish line in crucial matches this year. Roger Federer’s ex-coach Paul Annacone believes this is due to a mental struggle.
From the start of the year, Swiatek has showed signs that she was going to be at her best level after reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open. However, since then, she hasn’t produced the kind of consistent performance she achieved in Melbourne and has been currently struggling.
The 23-year-old has been a dominant force on clay. In fact, she has won more clay matches than any current player in the women’s circuit. But, despite her good record, she has failed to win a title on the surface as well this season. Last week, she suffered a harrowing defeat to Coco Gauff 1-6, 1-6 in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
Her low confidence and struggle for form have made Paul Annacone question her mental strength. The legendary coach revealed that Swiatek’s struggle is a bit sudden and does not happen regularly.
I think the biggest thing is between her ears, really. At that level, I really think the mental aspects lead the physical most of the time. You are not all of a sudden not great. That does not happen. So there is something going on, maybe she is missing her forehand a little. Maybe she is struggling on serve a little. But the discrepancy between average and poor should not be so vast, and the discrepancy between average and great should not be so vast.
Paul Annacone said via the Inside-in Tennis podcast
Swiatek’s struggle has seen her leave Aryna Sabalenka unchallenged at the top of the WTA rankings. The World No.2 has failed to defend three WTA titles this season. She will look forward to getting back on track at the Italian Open.
Paul Annacone reveals what Iga Swiatek must do to get back to form
Several players have found a way to beat Iga Swiatek this season. The French Open champion has always been known to play near-flawless tennis, but this season she has seen an increase in unforced errors. Paul Annacone revealed during the aforementioned podcast that the Polish star needs to find a way to be calm on the court, as she seems a bit on edge this season.
Great players usually navigate and moderate that pretty well. She has not been lately. She seems a bit on edge. She is a type A personality, where she is a little intense all the time, which looks great when you are winning, because it is a relentless, one point at a time inevitability in terms of being unbelievably oppressive to your opponent.
Paul Annacone said
Swiatek will have to find her form this clay season as she has a lot of points to defend. Also, she has to be in the right frame of mind at the Italian Open ahead of her French Open title defense.
Iga Swiatek wins her opening match at the Italian Open
Iga Swiatek had a dominant start to her Italian Open campaign after beating wildcard Elisabetta Cocciaretto in less than an hour. The World No.2 produced a clinical performance to win the tie 6-1, 6-0 to continue her form in Rome.
Swiatek hit 28 of 38 service points and did not face a break point throughout the match. This was her 18th consecutive win in Rome in straight sets and was her ninth 6-0 set at the tournament. She has now equalled Victoria Azarenka’s 6-0 record in WTA 1000 events, which is 33. She will face Danielle Collins in the third round in Rome.
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