Iga Swiatek fulfilled her father’s unaccomplished dream of winning an Olympic medal with a podium finish in Paris. The Olympics held special meaning for Swiatek, largely because of her father’s deep connection to the Games. Tomasz Swiatek, Iga’s father, had participated in the Seoul Olympics of 1988 as a rower but had failed to win a medal.

After claiming the bronze medal, Swiatek opened up about the profound love and admiration she has for her father. In an interview with Visa after the Paris Olympics, when the host displayed a picture of the world number one and her father and asked Iga about the picture, she got a bit emotional. Looking into the picture, the 23-year-old highlighted her love for her father and his involvement in her tennis career.

She stated, “That’s actually a photo that was taken this year, basically because of him you know I’m playing tennis. In tough moments, my dad was there to keep going and to show me that it’s still worth it and I shouldn’t give up.” 

Aware of Iga’s fear of water, the father-daughter duo chose tennis as her career, rather than rowing and it turned out to be the correct decision. Swiatek is not only a four-time French Open champion now, she is also the no. 1 player in the world. But amidst chasing WTA crowns and Grand Slam victories, the ambition of winning an Olympic medal never faded. Iga was always keen to win a medal for her nation at the Summer Games.

“It’s amazing. Honestly, me and my sister were raised in this spirit that the Olympics are the most important tournament. That’s why it wasn’t the easiest tournament. I’m happy (my Dad) was here to see it. This is for sure a great place for me to be and play. I’m happy that besides Roland Garros titles, I could add another success to it,” Swiatek said after winning the bronze medal.

During the Paris Olympics when Iga lost the semifinal and it was met with a wave of criticism—ranging from questions about her strategy to her composure—her father stepped in to offer support. Amidst the scrutiny, he stood by her side, defending her achievements and reminding everyone of her dedication and her effort toward reaching the podium.

Iga Swiatek’s father stands against the wave of criticism 

After she failed to make it to the finals and lost the opportunity to win a gold medal at the Olympics, critics immediately questioned Swiatek’s plans. While the Pole received support from her father, her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski also came to her defense. The world no. 1 bounced back immediately to find herself a spot on the podium, beating Anna Karolina in straight sets in the bronze medal match.

Swiatek’s father said, “An Olympic medal is something special. I will say, perversely, that anyone who thinks it’s easy should try it themselves. It’s easy to judge from an armchair, but it looks different from the inside. It’s perceived differently in the stands or in front of the TV.” 

Swiatek’s love for her father is evident in how she cherishes his role in her journey and how his unwavering support has been a cornerstone of her success. Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Swiatek’s equation with her father? Let us know in the comment section below.