Swiatek: “This is the worst nightmare for an elite tennis player”

Iga Swiatek has suffered another harsh blow at the Miami Open 2026, where she fell to Magda Linette in the first round to extend her poor run of results this year. The Polish tennis player, who is facing a serious confidence issue, has been very critical of herself in the mixed zone and described the situation she is experiencing as a nightmare.

The former world number one is struggling to find her form on the court, and even though she won the first set against Linette, it was evident that she lacks the spark she had a few months ago. Swiatek is confident in turning the situation around to reclaim the top spot in the WTA rankings, although she is currently several steps below in terms of gameplay compared to the two dominant figures on the tour: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

“This is the worst nightmare for an elite tennis player. Losing matches at this level. I have to overcome this and find a solution.
I’ve always been someone who overthinks, but lately it has been very intense. I struggle to let go of many thoughts that I have, which used to be my strength. Honestly, I played better when I didn’t think too much. Now I make so many wrong decisions that it’s hard not to think. Stress kicks in, the body becomes very tense, and everything becomes much more difficult,” she admitted to the media in the mixed zone.

Swiatek attributes her poor results to a confidence issue

The first set against Linette hinted at a change in that dynamic after winning 6-1, but once again the ghosts reappeared. “I just played poorly in the second and third set. It is undoubtedly hard to accept when I know I played well in the first. It’s just that, I don’t know, whether consciously or unconsciously, I struggle to change things and then my game falls apart. I haven’t felt this way in over five years. Falling so much in matches. I will have to try to regain confidence.”

The core of this issue is the mental aspect, as for months Iga has been struggling a lot with nerves, and it shows in her on-court demeanor. However, if anyone can turn the situation around, it’s a champion like her. “I feel that I carry a lot of expectations when I’m on the court and I need to let go of them because my game hasn’t been good enough to have any expectations. I’m a bit confused, but I’m going to work hard to regain it. I know it’s in me, only I’ve lost it for a moment,” she concluded.

So far, the first quarter of the season has been disappointing for the Polish tennis player, but things change in a few weeks. Now comes the clay-court swing, her specialty, where she is expected to be the favorite for each tournament. Perhaps this early defeat will allow her the physical and mental rest she needs to clear her mind, change her mindset, and approach the big clay-court tournaments in the best way possible to lift a title six months later.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek: “Esta es la peor pesadilla para una tenista de élite”