Tennis fans are expressing their hope that Iga Swiatek will be right for the Australian Open after the six-time grand slam champion was in tears on Sunday night amid fitness and form concerns. The World No.2 suffered a rare bagel (an 0-6 set) in her deflating loss to Belinda Bencic at the United Cup.
It was the first time Swiatek lost to Bencic in five years, and came amid some worrying scenes. Swiatek left the court for treatment and was in tears at one stage, hurling her racquet in despair after a second-straight loss at the pre-Australian Open event.
Iga Swiatek was in tears as she lost to Belinda Bencic at the United Cup. Image: United Cup/Getty
The Polish star suffered a straight-sets loss to World No.4 Coco Gauff on Saturday night and looked well below her best against Bencic. As Aryna Sabalenka stamped her Australian Open favouritism with a dominant display in the Brisbane International final against Marta Kostyuk, the World No.1’s nearest rival suffered a major stumble.
Swiatek was also seen crying at the first change-over during her victory over Australia’s Maya Joint on Friday night. Her loss to Bencic put Poland in an 0-1 hole in the United Cup final, but Hubert Hurkacz beat Stan Wawrinka before Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski clinched Poland’s maiden title with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Bencic and Jakub Paul in the deciding mixed doubles rubber.
Tennis fans concerned for Iga Swiatek before Australian Open
Swiatek looked ecstatic with Poland’s triumph, and played down any concerns afterwards. “Everything is fine. Just super sore,” she said. “First tournament of the year, it causes the body (to feel) a bit different. Differently than during the season.
“But I had similar experience last year also, so I’ll just get good recovery, a couple of days off. Also, these team events, I really love them, but they really take a lot of energy from you.
“So I still need to figure out how to balance that maybe in the future because I get so excited on the bench. It’s almost like playing a match, honestly, so, yeah, it’s all good.”
Iga Swiatek looked well below her best at the pre-Australian Open event. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Swiatek made the Australian Open final in 2022 and 2025, but has never claimed the trophy at the Melbourne Park grand slam. She’s a four-time champion at the French Open and won Wimbledon in 2025 and the US Open in 2022.
Despite playing down fitness concerns, fans have taken to social media to rally behind her and send well-wishes before the Australian Open. The sight of her in tears and well below her best has caused some major worries before the first grand slam of 2026.