Iga Świątek hasn’t had the smoothest start to 2025. The Pole came into the season with high expectations, but things haven’t gone her way. At the United Cup, she suffered a straight-set defeat to Coco Gauff in the final. That loss made headlines not just for the scoreline but also for what many called a “frosty” handshake between the two. In the semi-final against Madison Keys at the Australian Open, she was accused of delaying Keys’ serve with her on-court tactics.

Most recently, the Pole was looking to complete a historic three-peat at Indian Wells but fell short. She lost in the semi-finals to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, a defeat that only added to her frustrations. During the match, emotions got the better of her. After dropping a point, she hit a ball in frustration that narrowly missed a ball kid.

He stood frozen, arms stretched out, as the ball flew past him. The moment sparked reactions from fans and pundits alike. And now, the World No.2 is breaking her silence.

In an Instagram post, the Pole explained what happened during the match. “I expressed frustration in a way I’m not proud of,” she wrote. “My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground.”

She also clarified that she immediately apologized to the ball kid and added, “We made eye contact and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him. I’ve seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn’t expect such harsh judgments.”

The 5-time Grand Slam champion also opened up about the constant judgment that seems to be weighing her down. “When I’m highly focused and don’t show many emotions on court, I’m called a robot, my attitude labeled as inhuman,” she wrote. “Now that I’m more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I’m suddenly labeled immature or hysterical.” In a way it’s the player described her emotions in what most athletes feel about themselves.

The 23-year-old also recalled the difficult moments she’s faced in recent months. In November, it was announced that she had tested positive for TMZ, a banned substance. The contamination came from a sleeping pill, which led to a one-month suspension. That ban forced her to miss three major tournaments—the Korea Open, the China Open, and the Wuhan Open.

Losing valuable ranking points, Świątek also saw her reign as World No.1 come to an abrupt end. “Today, after everything I’ve been through, I’m still processing and coming to terms with those experiences,” she wrote. “Will sharing this change anything? Probably not, because I clearly see how much we love judging, creating theories, and imposing opinions on others.”

Despite the criticism, Iga Świątek made sure to acknowledge those who have stood by her. “But perhaps a few people who genuinely want to understand what I’m experiencing will understand this. In any case, this external standard is definitely not my standard, and I don’t accept my team and me being boxed into external expectations. Nevertheless, to those fans who truly support me, I deeply thank you and want you to know how grateful I am for your kindness.”

As she looks ahead to the Miami Open, Świątek is taking a much-needed breather.

Iga Świątek spotted taking a stroll on the beaches of Miami

The Polish star was recently spotted on the beaches of Miami, spending time with her coach Will Fissette’s family. On Sunday, Fissette’s wife, Jasmien Clijsner, shared a picture on social media. The post featured Świątek, Fissette, and their children, captioned, “Hello Miami.”

Iga Świątek’s coaching team has also seen changes in recent months. She spent most of 2024 working with Polish coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, winning four Grand Slam titles under his guidance. However, following her doping suspension, she announced her split with Wiktorowski and teamed up with Fissette.

The Belgian coach has an impressive resume, having worked with Grand Slam champions like Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters, and Angelique Kerber. In recent months, their family has become close to Swiatek, with them being spotted cheering for the Pole from the stands.

So far, their partnership has shown promise, but the results haven’t come yet. Since winning Roland Garros last June, Świątek has lost five consecutive semi-finals. A title in Miami would be the perfect way to turn things around. She has already won a title there in 2022. For now, Świątek has a first-round bye at the Miami Open. Her second-round opponent is yet to be determined.

However, it looks like she is projected to meet Madison Keys, Karolina Muchova, Elise Mertens, and Paula Badosa. A potential rematch with Mirra Andreeva is also on the cards. Can Iga Swiatek bounce back and put the past behind her?