Former world No. 9 and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist CoCo Vandeweghe has voiced concern about Iga Swiatek, suggesting the 23-year-old may be quietly battling mental health challenges.
Swiatek, known for her composed demeanor, has recently shown uncharacteristic outbursts on court. At Indian Wells, she angrily smashed a ball in frustration and narrowly missed hitting a ball kid. Afterward, she issued an apology but also criticized the double standards in how she’s treated by the media and fans.
Just a week later in Stuttgart, the world No. 2 smashed her racket during a tense quarterfinal loss to Jelena Ostapenko—a rare display from the typically composed Pole.
Vandeweghe: Swiatek’s Comments Reveal a Lot
Speaking on the Tennis Channel, Vandeweghe said Swiatek’s emotional reaction and recent comments at the Madrid Open hint at something deeper.
“I think that’s very insightful into where she’s at mentally,” Vandeweghe said. “There’s clearly more going on. We’re seeing more emotional explosions—breaking a racket, slamming a ball—and while those might not seem huge for some players, for someone as typically calm as Iga, they stand out.”
“It reminds me of when Carlos Alcaraz smashed his racket in Cincinnati—everyone was shocked because it was so unlike him. Iga’s behavior now feels similar.”
Swiatek has long traveled with a sports psychologist, but Vandeweghe wondered if that dynamic has recently changed. She also pointed to Swiatek’s partnership with Wim Fissette, her first non-Polish coach, suggesting their collaboration has had a shaky start. That, she added, could contribute to the current emotional tension—and possibly spark a coaching change down the line.
A Tough Start in Madrid
Despite the speculation, Swiatek survived a scare in her Madrid Open opener, coming from a set down to defeat Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. However, her 57 unforced errors during the match indicate she’s still far from her best.
As the season rolls on, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see whether Swiatek can regain her composure—or whether deeper issues may need to be addressed off the court.
