Iga Świątek opens Up about Pressure behind Title Win
After winning her first title in almost a year, Iga Świątek has opened up about the pressure and criticism she faced during a difficult 2026 season.
Świątek ended her 11-month wait for a title by beating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 in the Canadian Open final in Toronto. It was also her first title since beginning her partnership with new coach Francisco Roig.
Świątek celebrated with visible anger, screaming towards her team and pumping her fist after the win. She later explained that some of that emotion came from anger and criticism she had experienced during the difficult periods of her season, particularly from media and fans in Poland.
“After I won, I kind of let myself feel it [anger] a little bit because there are plenty of things that athletes, not only athletes, all the people have to struggle with. Sometimes we need to fight things that we shouldn’t.”
The 25-year-old has faced intense scrutiny this season. She had been criticised for her results, and people had questioned her team and decisions. She said that judgment had affected not only her but also the people around her.
“There is unfair judgment from different parts coming to us, and we need to handle it. For sure, last month I faced it, my team faced it.”
Rather than allowing the criticism to change her, Świątek said she wanted to stay focused on her own decisions and development.
“My goal was for it to not interrupt my process and define who I am. Being sure about my decisions, not letting this disrupt anything and focus on growing.”
She also said she hopes her experience can help other athletes dealing with similar pressure.
“It shouldn’t be like that so I took yesterday’s opportunity to just talk about it a little bit more even if it helps one person, or one young athlete knows that we all try to do something with it, maybe it will help a little bit.”
Despite everything surrounding the victory, Świątek knows she cannot spend too long celebrating. She travelled to Cincinnati shortly after winning in Toronto, but said she still wanted to appreciate what she had achieved.
“I’ll find my time to appreciate what happened and to be grateful about it, for sure. Because without it, it doesn’t make sense to keep going. You need to get a taste of these moments and remember them.”
