Iga Swiatek is seen as the female counterpart of Rafael Nadal due to her tennis prowess at Clay Court. However, when it comes to the Olympics, it has been tough luck for the Pole. Back in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she returned home empty-handed. While at the Paris Olympics, the favorite buckled under pressure but came back to claim her first Olympics medal: Bronze. It has been a successful year for Swiatek, and she would love to continue the rhythm as the US Open approaches. However, if the words of Dariusz Nowicki are taken into account, it’s not just the roses that await the Pole, but the thorns too.

Traveling a bit back in time to 2020, Swiatek had won her first Roland Garros title and was looking forward to making it big at the Tokyo Olympics. However, what followed was a straight-set ouster for the Pole and a painful time filled with tumultuous emotions. This made her add a special member to her team: her psychologist, Daria Abramowicz. However, as the Olympics are over, it seems that the wheel of time is on repeat mode if the words of famous psychologist Nowicki are to be believed.

In an interview with Interia Sports, Nowicki, detailed Swiatek’s emotional state. He said, “Iga is very overloaded, and sooner or later, hopefully as late as possible, she will experience burnout syndrome.” Though he was not sure how this burnout syndrome would manifest: depression, or a period of fatigue and returning to sports? Nobody knows, but a “dark scenario is hanging in the air.”

Swiatek is the World No.1, with 5 grand slams in her pocket. However, these are the beautiful and sensational roses in her tennis garden. The added pressure of fans, scrutiny from experts, and the expectation from oneself are the necessary thorns plaguing her efficient recovery. Nowicki further remarks, “This girl is exposed to huge mental overload. And now such a situation as she has encountered here – although I hope that the team is working with all its might to show her that this is a huge success – in such important life situations causes failure to cause brain pain.”

This analysis is not based on mere speculation but on the latest research, which “is the result of computer analysis of brain activity.” Swiatek’s father had said that she had a great team that would help her get through everything. Maybe that’s how she bounced back after her semifinal loss, to claim the bronze. However, there are huge costs associated with huge wins. Maybe that’s why Carlos Alcaraz takes a few small getaways to replenish his energy and get away from the intensive tennis circuit.

Mental health in focus: Iga Swiatek’s donation for mental health to Carlos Alcaraz little getaways to avoid burnouts

Right after her breakthrough win at the 2020, Roland Garros, Swiatek advocated the importance of mental health. And following her commitment to the cause, back in 2022, she donated the Ostrava prize to a Polish mental health non-profit. Swiatek is not the only one who has prioritized her mental health. Alcaraz too has joined the stage, as he has highlighted the importance of taking a break from the competitive environment after intensive wins to recover.

He said, “Well, I am very clear that in the end, people also work for something. It is crazy to be able to play these types of tournaments, and to be able to win them. I don’t want to feel like a slave to tennis and not have time for myself. And those “Little getaways to Ibiza, I think it is fundamental and very necessary to then perform and come back to the court with batteries charged.” Rightly so, burnout is the major cause of artistic downfall. Recently, the Spaniard withdrew from the Canada Masters at Montreal to enjoy his Grass Major, and Olympic silver with his friends.

However, Nowicki’s words cannot be brushed aside. As they serve as a warning bells not just for Swiatek but the tennis players vying for glory.