Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek continues to captivate the sport with her relentless pursuit of perfection and a grounded approach to the game. Currently ranked world No. 2, Swiatek’s journey through an eventful and challenging season—including a tough doping investigation, a change in coaching, and a major title drought—has shaped her perspective as she enters the prestigious WTA Finals in Riyadh.
A Love for Tennis Over Records
For Swiatek, motivation does not stem from chasing records or external glory but from a genuine passion for tennis and a desire to master every aspect of her game. With six Grand Slam titles secured across three different surfaces and an Olympic bronze medal, the 24-year-old is already a hall-of-famer in the making. Despite such achievements, she remains focused on the day-by-day process of improvement, stating that the energy she invests in her training is gratifying, regardless of immediate results.
“I just love the feeling of knowing where the ball is going to go and having control on the court,” she shared. This intrinsic drive underscores her career and explains how she has maintained such consistency amid the pressures of being a top-ranked player.
Overcoming a Challenging Year
Swiatek’s 2025 season was marked by significant hurdles. Early on, she faced a doping investigation related to a contaminated melatonin supplement, which led to a brief suspension. Though cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the emotional weight of the accusation affected her focus and well-being. At the same time, she was adjusting to the expertise of new coach Wim Fissette, who joined her team after her string of “perfect seasons.”
Fissette’s influence has been instrumental in refining Swiatek’s game, particularly on faster surfaces. The duo’s collaboration helped Swiatek enhance her serve’s speed and placement, adding aggression to her style without sacrificing her exceptional court coverage. This evolution was evident in her recent resounding victories on hard courts, such as winning titles in Cincinnati and Seoul.
Wimbledon: A Career-Defining Moment
One highlight that distinctly stands out is Swiatek’s triumph at Wimbledon in July, representing a remarkable milestone both personally and professionally. On the grass courts of the All England Club—a surface she once regarded as her least favorite—Swiatek delivered the best serving performance of her career to capture this elusive Grand Slam title, ending a 13-month title drought.
“This was the only thing that I wasn’t able to do before,” she reflected. Winning Wimbledon underlined her adaptability and silenced critics who questioned the change in her coaching team. More importantly, it underscored her maturity as she acknowledged the season had tested her emotionally and physically, remarking wryly that sometimes she forgets her youth, “sometimes I feel like I’m 40 already.”
Renewed Focus at the WTA Finals
Swiatek began her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory over Madison Keys—a player familiar with her style, having faced off multiple times in recent seasons. Her performance demonstrated a renewed focus and confidence, traits that have defined her resurgence. Keys herself noted the improvements in Swiatek’s serve and her more aggressive approach to dictating points early.
Having previously competed in the WTA Finals amid uncertainty regarding her testing case, Swiatek entered this year’s tournament with psychological clarity and composure. Last year, the burden of the ongoing investigation made it difficult for her to maintain concentration and openly communicate with the media. Now, free from that cloud, she has channeled her energies entirely into her tennis.
Striving for Perfection Amid an Evolving Slam Landscape
Though no longer world No. 1, Swiatek leads the WTA tour in match wins this season—a testament to her resilience and consistency in a field that has seen four different Grand Slam champions this year. She acknowledges the growing competitiveness and depth in women’s tennis but remains undeterred, focusing on continual development rather than external expectations.
“For me, just feeling day by day that I’m doing good work is more than enough motivation,” Swiatek states. This philosophy helps her maintain balance and perspective in a sport where pressure and scrutiny are constant companions.
Looking Ahead
As Iga Swiatek embraces the challenge of the WTA Finals and reflects on her career’s significant milestones, it is clear that her journey is far from over. Her approach—grounded in passion, preparation, and an unwavering pursuit of mastery—positions her not only as a formidable contender today but as a lasting figure in tennis history. With Wim Fissette’s guidance and her own relentless work ethic, Swiatek’s quest for perfection continues, fueled by love for the sport and the thrill of competition, regardless of the setbacks she may encounter.
