Let’s be real, the tennis tour isn’t a vacation. Iga Swiatek knows this better than most. She even called her schedule ‘crazy’ and maybe the toughest in all of sports! Wild, right? But even with all that, she crushed it again last year. How does she do it? Well, Iga’s been super open about having a sports psychologist on tour to help her stay sane. Smart move, I think! Because even though she looks super strong on court, only other players really get how much is going on inside your head. That’s where a psychologist can really make a difference. And as per Swiatek’s own admission, it has worked wonders!

Recently, Iga wrapped up the 2024 season on a rocky note, facing a one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication, during an out-of-competition test in August. This setback not only sidelined her from the Asian swing but also cost her the No. 1 ranking to rival Aryna Sabalenka. When the news broke in November, Iga admitted to sleepless nights over the situation. The revelation concerning Daria Abramowicz’s involvement in the contamination sparked a backlash from several tennis fans. However, everything aside, Abramowicz’s role as her psychologist has been crucial in coaching Swiatek mentally.

Speaking to the “Tennis Insider Club”, as reported by the Polish publication, Przeglad Sportowy Onet, on Monday, Swiatek revealed that the presence of her psychologist in her life was something that transcends just the sport. She said, “I wanted to work with a psychologist since I was 14. At first, it was mental training. I wanted to be more focused, to remember more. As a child, I was always chaotic, I couldn’t sit in one place, to focus. I wanted to work on that. But later I realized that I needed someone to talk to about deeper issues. I felt such a need.”

During the interview, she recalled how she initially worked with two psychologists. One of them mainly focused on concentration classes, the other refused to talk about more difficult topics, saying, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Frustrated, she sought someone new and found Abramowicz, who was recommended to her. In February 2019, when Świątek was 17 and ranked just inside the WTA Tour’s top 150, her team approached Abramowicz for mental coaching.

Last year, the current world No. 2 explained how Daria pays close attention to her daily habits and the patterns she sometimes falls into. Iga appreciates that Daria also helps her understand how outside expectations and comments can impact her mindset. “She guides me in developing strategies that really resonate with me,” Swiatek said back in October 2024.

Coming back to the court for the 2025 season, she showed great talent by helping Team Poland make it to the Finals of the United Cup against Team US. However, during an interview with TVN24, she opened up about the fears she faced when the news of her ban broke out, saying, “I was scared that most of the people are going to turn their back on me.” But it looks like she’s managing herself well in the dawn in the 2025 season.

Swiatek expresses that it’s all in the mindset when it comes to tough situations

In an interview with Tennis Insider Club earlier this week, the World No.2 was asked to discuss handling public scrutiny following her recent doping case. She expressed her frustrations, saying, “You can be at peace with yourself that you didn’t do anything wrong, but no one actually treats you like that.” She added, “I fought for everything so hard the past years. What if people are going to, in their head, take it away from me?”

She was seen on the court at the United Cup, with a notebook in hand. Later posted by a X user saying, “One of the scariest sights in tennis: Iga Swiatek leaving the court after losing a set with her Roland-Garros notebook in hand.” Which she later addressed to reveal that she often notes down her tactics and struggles from matches. This will be crucial when facing tough competitors like Sabalenka and Gauff, while also helping her maintain focus during these tough times.

Additionally, Jean-Claude Alvarez, a pharmacology professor, stated, “Iga Swiatek is not guilty of anything! She was only taking melatonin to fall asleep because she was suffering from jet lag.” He questioned the month-long suspension she received and argued she should not have been punished at all. Support also came from Poland’s Minister of Sport and Tourism, Sławomir Nitras, who tweeted that “even the greatest perfectionists sometimes fall victim to other people’s mistakes.”

While the debate may take some time to calm down on the tennis scene, Iga is looking forward to making it big at the 2025 AO. Can she claim the first Grand Slam of the 2025 tour?