Iga Swiatek had a year full of surprises, but unfortunately, fewer reasons to celebrate. After a concerning finish to the season, fans have been speculating about her chances in 2025, especially at the Australian Open first because her results at the hardcourt Slam this year weren’t laudable. However, the equation gets really worrisome when a Russian ex-pro hands a no-slam win projection for her upcoming season.

The Polish star went on an impressive winning streak during the summer swing. She captured back-to-back titles in Madrid, Italy, and won her third consecutive (4th overall) French Open title in Paris. However, things only went downhill from there. Swiatek’s quest for a gold medal at the Olympics wasn’t successful and later, she announced parting ways with longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski. Seemingly tired of achieving underwhelming results on surfaces apart from clay, the Pole added Naomi Osaka‘s ex-coach Wim Fisette to her team instead.

She hoped to obtain better results under the Belgian coach’s tutelage, but, was met with another troubling update. She tested positive for a prohibited substance (trimetazidine) during an out-of-competition sample. Though the ITIA accepted her defense and noted that the contamination was indeed unintentional, Swiatek had to serve a one-month doping ban. As a result, she was forced to sit out the entire Asian swing. With that sentence almost served, the Pole is gearing up for a comeback in 2025 but, Dinara Safina believes it won’t do her much good.

During an interview with the Russian daily ‘Championat’, the 38-year-old picked her winner for every Major in 2025 and surprisingly excluded Swiatek, saying she won’t extend her winning streak at the Clay Super event next year. “Australia — Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka. Roland Garros — Alexander Zverev and let’s say Karolina Muchova. I think Iga Świątek will not win the Grand Slam on clay next season. Wimbledon — Carlos Alcaraz and Jelena Rybakina. US Open — Danil Medvedev and Sabalenka again,” Safina said.

Following Swiatek’s doping allegations, the Pole was subjected to backlash and criticism from the likes of Nick Kyrgios. The Aussie ‘Superbrat’ poured heavy criticism upon the former World No. 1 and just recently, his comments were defended by Swiatek’s fellow WTA competitor.

Naomi Osaka rushes to good friend Nick Kyrgios’s rescue following critical comments on the Pole’s doping ban

Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka and former World No. 13 Nick Kyrgios share a chucklesome friendship and their relationship extends beyond the court. The duo have engaged in ventures like talk shows on YouTube and never shy away from expressing their close-knit bond. When Kyrgios took shots at Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner, amid the high-profile players’ positive dope test results, fans weren’t particularly happy with the Aussie’s brutal take. However, Osaka recently defended Kyrgios’ personality.

During an interview with ‘Harpers Bazaar,’ the four-time Major winner said: “Nick is a dynamic person both on and off the court,” Osaka says. “I am drawn to people who are unapologetic about who they are and aren’t afraid to show all aspects of themselves. I also think there is a side to Nick few people see, but I can say he has a very big heart and, for him, giving back is really important, and that is a quality I admire about him.”

Kyrgios, Swiatek, and Osaka are set to return to the tour in a few days. The trio will be in action at the Australian hardcourt swing slated to commence in January 2025.