Iga Swiatek's Brutal Testimony to Defend Her Psychologist

Pedro de Pablos | 2 Jul 2026 | 10.27

Iga Swiatek's brutal testimony to defend her psychologist. Source: Getty Images.

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Iga Swiatek is going through a very challenging season, as seen after her hard-fought victory in her debut at Wimbledon 2026, when she ended up in tears. Amid all the doubts, the Polish tennis player has defended the role of her psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, with a powerful testimony that explains how crucial she has been in her most critical moments.

It is not normal to see a psychologist on a player's bench during matches, but that is the case with Daria and Swiatek. Abramowicz has been helping the Polish player since her junior days, and has remained steadfast despite the coaching changes Swiatek has had, currently being under the guidance of Francis Roig, former coach of Rafael Nadal. In fact, Swiatek does not understand the criticisms she receives on social media, including speculations that she might leave her team, as confirmed in an interview with The Times.

“People on social media like to give their opinion, but they don’t know how we work, what kind of support I need, or how many people in my position require trustworthy individuals. Daria has been working with me since 2019. I would be a completely different person from what I was then. I was very insecure. I didn’t have the emotional or cognitive skills necessary to play tennis at the level needed to reach this stage, so she helped me develop as a player," she stated.

Swiatek reveals the toughest moment of her career

Not only was she instrumental in taking her to world number 1 and winning Grand Slams, but also in coping with fame, success, and everything that comes with it. "She helped me manage it, because when you win, you think it's a dream come true and something incredible, but so many things change in the life of a young person: professionally, economically, and also how people treat you when you suddenly become famous, being under the public eye, having paparazzi in front of your house. It was very hard for me to concentrate on tennis for weeks, even months, after my first Roland Garros."

However, the most crucial moment where Daria played her pivotal role was when Iga was notified of the presence of trimetazidine in an out-of-competition test. "That was another occasion where I needed support, something I wouldn't have received if I didn't have someone in my team who understood me. It was a terrible situation, out of my control. I was shocked and devastated. I even struggled to step on the court and hit some balls because I felt like I had to fight for the truth, for justice and fairness, and also for my honor, even though I hadn't done anything wrong. For a while, I couldn’t even play. Basically, I cried for weeks, constantly thinking about it and how this had happened to me."

Tennis is evolving, and Iga is aware of it

Reflecting on her Wimbledon title last year, Swiatek acknowledges that "it wasn’t something we expected. Obviously, it was a dream come true and a tournament that changes your career, but grass has never been my favorite surface." Nevertheless, since then, and even before that moment, the Polish player has been going through a small crisis both mentally and in terms of results, but she is aware of what needs to change.

"I know how much work I put in and how motivated I am, so every defeat is hard to accept. The first 24 hours after a match are quite emotional, and I need time to analyze it logically, but undoubtedly, this season has not been easy. For a while, I didn't feel entirely comfortable with my game. I realize that I can’t repeat what I did a couple of years ago because tennis is changing. I'm changing; I'm a different person, and sometimes you have to find different solutions. Last year, this tournament was very enjoyable for me precisely because I didn’t have many expectations. That shows you can play with more freedom when you release yourself from past results,” she concluded.

When she is at her best, Swiatek is one of the best tennis players in the world, and she is putting in all her efforts to once again become that overpowering player who held the WTA number one ranking for many weeks. Currently, her level seems further away from that of other names like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, but if anyone can turn the situation around, it's her. What is clear is that Daria Abramowicz will continue to play a key role in that process, as she is one of the pivotal figures in her project.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El brutal testimonio de Swiatek para defender a su psicóloga

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