Iga Swiatek Remains Indian Wells Favorite Despite Title Drought, Says Lindsay Davenport
Despite a recent dip in form, former world No.1 Lindsay Davenport still sees Iga Swiatek as the favorite to lift the Indian Wells title—even if the world No.2 appears “more stressed out” on court.
Swiatek has already arrived in California ahead of the prestigious WTA 1000 event, where she will defend her Indian Wells crown. The five-time Grand Slam champion has dominated the tournament in recent years, winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, both times defeating Maria Sakkari in the final. She also reached the semifinals in 2023, solidifying the tournament as one of her most successful.
However, Swiatek enters this year’s edition facing one of the longest title droughts of her career.
Swiatek’s Title Struggles in 2025
The Polish star has not won a title or reached a final since her Roland Garros triumph in June 2024. In 2025, she has fallen short in key tournaments:
- Australian Open – Lost to Madison Keys (Semifinals)
- Qatar Open – Lost to Jelena Ostapenko (Semifinals)
- Dubai Tennis Championships – Lost to Mirra Andreeva (Quarterfinals)
- United Cup Final – Lost to Coco Gauff in Poland vs. USA matchup
Her recent struggles come on the heels of a challenging end to 2024, which saw her split with longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and begin working with Wim Fissette. Additionally, Swiatek was suspended for one month after testing positive for TMZ in August 2024, forcing her to miss the China Open and Wuhan Open—a key factor in her losing the world No.1 ranking.
Can Swiatek Bounce Back in Indian Wells?
Despite these setbacks, Davenport believes Swiatek still has the edge in the desert.
“She might look a little more stressed out on court, but she’s still the one to beat,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion.
With her stellar track record in Indian Wells and a desire to end her title drought, Swiatek remains a strong contender. However, with several in-form rivals, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina, the battle for the title will be fierce.
Will Swiatek return to her dominant best, or will her title drought continue? Indian Wells could be the turning point.
