World No 1, Poland, Olympics, doping: Everything you always wanted to know about Iga Swiatek (but never had time to find out) – updated after drugs ban
Five-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek is the first Pole and 28th woman to top the world rankings. Here are some facts about one of the stars of women’s tennis
Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
Who is Iga Swiatek?
Iga Swiatek is a professional tennis player from Poland. As of October 14, 2024, she has been the WTA Tour world No 1 for a total of 125 weeks, having reached the 100-week mark on April 22, 2024.
She won her fifth Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros in 2024, beating Jasmine Paolini in the final to win the French Open for the fourth time.
In 2022, she enjoyed a sensational winning streak (find out more about that later) and also raised money for charities with an exhibition tennis match. She has spoken at length about the emotional impact it has had on her to see war ravage neighbouring Ukraine.
Why did Iga Swiatek receive a drugs ban?
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) banned Swiatek for one month after the Pole failed an out-of-competition dope test in August 2024.
Swiatek’s samples were found contaminated with trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned substance helpful in treating heart-related conditions. She argued the drug entered her body through melatonin, a medication she consumed for sleep issues, which was adulterated with TMZ during factory production, thus, claiming unintentional doping.
Taking the Pole’s account as true, the ITIA on November 28, 2024, ruled “no significant fault or negligence”, stating the contamination level was “at the lowest end of the range”.
The tennis body provisionally suspended Swiatek after the test results came out, making her miss the Korea Open (September 16-22), China Open (September 25-October 6), and Wuhan Open (October 7-13). Also, the player was stripped of the money she earned during the Cincinnati Open, held right after the sample collection, where she reached as far as the semi-finals.
Accepting the punishment, Swiatek posted a lengthy video on her Instagram account, sharing with her fans the hardship she faced during the ITIA investigation.
“Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most,” she spoke. “I know I will be stronger than ever. I’m leaving with you a long video and right now I’m just relieved it’s over. I want to be open with you, even though I know I did nothing wrong. Out of respect for my fans and the public, I’m sharing all the details of this longest and toughest tournament of my career. My biggest hope is that you will stay with me.”
What did Iga Swiatek do at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup FInals?
Swiatek announced in October 2024 via social media that she would be participating in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, in November. The Pole had missed the past two BJK Cup Finals because of a quick turnaround between them and the end of the WTA Finals.
“See you in Malaga! I am happy to announce that I will play in the final phase of the Bille Jean King Cup,” Swiatek wrote on Twitter. “I’m delighted to play for my country and to represent Poland proudly. Together, with Team Poland, we will give our best on the court. I hope you will watch and support us. See you soon.”
Swiatek kept her word and ensured Poland qualified for the quarter-finals after Magada Linette provided the desired start by earning a hard-fought 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-4 against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo. She overcame Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the second singles match to give Poland an unassailable 2-0 lead over the host nation.
The 23-year-old then earned her side a place in the semi-finals by making match-winning contributions to the side’s quarter-final tie against Czechia.
To begin with, she helped Poland recover from a 1-0 deficit, downing Czech Linda Noskova 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5 in the second singles match. Later, she joined forces with Katarzyna Kawa to overcome the duo of Katerina Siniakova and Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-4 in the deciding doubles duel.
The Polish side clashed with Italy in the semi-finals and started on a disappointing note, with Magda Linette losing 6-4, 7-6 (3) to Lucia Bronzetti. Swiatek played the rescuer again, defeating world No 4 Jasmine Paolini 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Paolini, however, returned to take revenge on the five-time Grand Slam champion as the former paired up with compatriot Sara Errani to beat Swiatek and Kawa 7-5, 7-5 to end Poland’s campaign.
How did Swiatek fare at the 2024 WTA Finals?
Swiatek finished the group stage with two wins and one loss, beating Barbora Krejcikova and Daria Kasatkina (alternate for Jessica Pegula) and going down to Coco Gauff. However, the Pole failed to qualify for the semi-finals as Barbora Krejcikova and Coc Gauff (who both also had two wins and a loss) because better percentage of sets won.
Krejcikova topped the group with a 5-2 set record (71.4%), followed by Gauff at 4-2 (66.7%) and Swiatek at 4-3 (57.1%). With this result, Swiatek will end the season as world No 2.
Who is Iga Swiatek’s coach?
Swiatek has hired Belgium’s Wim Fissette as her new coach. The Belgian most recently worked with Naomi Osaka and has also worked with Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber in the past.
Swiatek was earlier working with Tomasz Wiktorowski but the pair announced their split on October 6, 2024, after three years of partnership that saw her win four Grand Slam titles and amass 123 weeks as the world No 1.
Swiatek worked with her compatriot Piotr Sierzputowski from 2016 to December 2021, when she announced the end of their collaboration on Twitter.
She also works with Daria Abramowicz, a sports psychologist who allows her to progress her mental side. Swiatek hailed the influence of Abramowicz after her stunning run to the title at Roland-Garros.
Why did Swiatek and Wiktorowski split?
On October 16, 2024, 10 days after the announcement, Wiktorowski spoke out about the split in an interview with Polish media, during which he set straight some rumours that had been circulating about an acrimonious split.
“It was simply a necessity. We have never made sudden and, above all, ill-considered decisions,” Wiktorowski said as per Sports Illustrated.
“There have been a lot of speculations and insinuation. Definitely too much, considering that the message that was issued very precisely defines our decision. It is enough to read it with understanding, not with the intention of looking for sensation. Our end of cooperation was done with respect for both parties, and no fake news will change that,” Wiktorowski added.
In the interview, Wiktorowski also denied the stories that Daria Abramovich, the psychologist working with Swiatek, had a role to play in the split.
“I think that in general we had a very good relationship in the team. During three years of intensive cooperation, it is impossible to avoid difficult situations, but even then, we always found a way to reach an agreement and get back on track. Iga and everything related to the preparation of a player at the highest level have always been a priority for us.”
How did Swiatek fare at the 2024 US Open?
The Pole reached the quarter-finals at the 2024 US Open, where she was knocked out by American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-4.
The loss continued to a sub-par run for Swiatek at the Grand Slams outside of Roland-Garros in 2023 and 2024. The Pole has not reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon or the US Open in the last two seasons.
what did iga swiatek do at the 2024 paris olympics?
Iga Swiatek won the bronze medal in the women’s singles, beating Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2, 6-0 to become the first Polish player, woman or man, to win an Olympic medal. Swiatek was the favourite to win gold, but lost 6-2, 7-5 to sixth-seeded Qinwen Zheng in the semi-final. Swiatek had been on a 25-match winning streak at Roland-Garros and a 23-match winning streak on clay courts, both of which ended with defeat to Zheng.
what did iga swiatek do at roland-garros 2024?
Iga Swiatek won her fourth Roland-Garros title in 2024. It is her third Roland-Garros title in a row, and her fifth Grand Slam title, having also won in Paris in 2020 and clinching the US Open in 2022.
Swiatek dismantled all of her opponents en route to the title apart from Naomi Osaka in the second round, when she faced a match point on Osaka’s serve before breaking and completing an incredible turnaround victory.
From that point, she was unstoppable, winning the title by dropping just 11 games across her next five matches. Swiatek beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 in the final.
Swiatek completed the rare feat of winning all three of the major clay-court titles in one season, having also won the Madrid Open and the Italian Open.
WHAT DID IGA SWIATEK DO AT THE ITALIAN OPEN IN 2024?
Iga Swiatek won the Italian Open for a third time, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 in the final for her fourth title of the year. The Pole became just the third woman ever to win Madrid and Rome back to back, taking the title without dropping a set.
What did Iga Swiatek accomplish at the Madrid Open in 2024?
In May 2024, Swiatek saved three match points to beat Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7) to win her first Madrid Open title and the 20th singles title of her career.
The win made her the youngest player to reach 20 titles since Caroline Wozniacki in 2012. At 22 years and 338 days old, she also became the youngest player to win eight WTA titles on clay since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario won Amelia Island in 1994.
The victory extended her winning streak in WTA finals to seven and was her 30th win and third title of the season (tying with Elena Rybakina on both counts).
What did Iga Swiatek do in Indian Wells IN 2024?
In March 2024, Iga Swiatek defeated Maria Sakkari in the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, winning her second title at the WTA 1000 event.
She swept past the Greek 6-4, 6-0, winning eight games in a row from 4-4 in the first set to claim the match. This was her 19th title and second time winning the Indian Wells title, having lifted the trophy in 2022 as well.
How did Iga Swiatek fare at the 2024 Australian Open?
The Pole was knocked out in the third round of the 2024 Australian Open – her earliest exit at a Slam since Wimbledon in 2022, where she also lost in the third round.
After coming from a double break down in the third set against Danielle Collins in the second round, Swiatek came up short against 19-year-old Czech Linda Noskova in the third round.
Noskova came from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 for the biggest win of her young career.
What did Iga Swiatek do at the WTA Finals in 2023?
Iga Swiatek won the WTA Finals for the first time in her career in 2023, beating Jessiva Pegula in the final, 6-1, 6-0. The Pole dropped only 20 games all week, the fewest games lost by any champion in the history of the event.
The victory also ensured Swiatek regained the world No 1 ranking, having lost it to Aryna Sabalenka earlier in 2023. “To return to world No 1 is a dream come true,” she said. “I’d say I wasn’t expecting that this season.”
How many Grand Slams has Iga Swiatek won?
Iga Swiatek has won five Grand Slam titles, most recently the 2024 French Open.
In 2022, following her shock 2020 triumph, she won Roland-Garros for the second time, beating the USA’s Coco Gauff in the final 6-1, 6-3 in 68 minutes. Over the course of the fortnight, she dropped one single set – in the fourth round – to Qinwen Zheng. She then won the US Open the same year, beating Ons Jabeur in the final.
She defended her title in 2023, and once again dropped a single set over the course of the fortnight – this time in the final, to Muchova. In 2024, she was again unstoppable, beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final.
Why did Iga Swiatek wave her hand during the San Diego final?
During the San Diego final in October 2022 against Donna Vekic, Swiatek waved her hands at the net during as Vekic was about to hit a shot. The Pole was heavily criticised for the same and tennis fans online were quick to point out that this was not the first time that Swiatek had done the same.
Swiatek did apologise to Vekic on social media after the match and spoke about the incident later in an interview to Polish media.
“I can’t control it, but I hope it will never happen again. We are working on it,” Swiatek said. “It is a stress reaction to what is happening. It is an involuntary reaction. I did it during the US Open, and as I recall it was a stressful moment. In San Diego, I did it unconsciously. Right after the game I approached Donna and apologised. She had no hard feelings, it turned out she didn’t recall this at all. I hope fans will understand me as well. I’m aware of the many negative comments on the internet concerning this incident. I’m not proud of the fact, that sometimes I’m not in control of what I do on the court. It’s a purely instinctual behaviour. Maybe I’ve seen one too many football games, and taken notice of what goalies do during penalty shots (laughs).”
How many titles has Iga Swiatek won?
Iga Swiatek has won 22 titles, as of November 29, 2024. Her most recent title came at Roland-Garros in June 2024, when she beat Jasmine Paolini to lift her fourth French Open title.
What is Iga Swiatek’s highest ranking?
Iga Swiatek became the new world No 1 in women’s tennis on May 4, 2022. The 20-year-old became the 28th woman to hold the No 1 ranking, as well as the first Polish woman ever to hold the ranking. You can find her current ranking and rankings history on her WTA Tour profile page.
Swiatek achieved the milestone by beating Viktorija Golubic to reach the third round of the 2022 Miami Open, a tournament she would later win, securing the prestigious sunshine double of Indian Wells and Miami titles.
“I feel like I’m a different player right now,” she said in Rome, where she won the title for the second year in a row to collect her fifth trophy of 2022.
“Last year I feel like I still was trying to find some kind of, I don’t know, consistency in the wins that I had, and also like confirmation that Roland Garros wasn’t just like a one tournament. I feel like I found that and I feel like I can kind of move forward and just focus on my next goals. For sure the tournaments that I played this year, they have shown me that I can play better tennis on hard courts.”
On April 22, 2024, Swiatek became only the ninth woman to be ranked world No 1 for 100 weeks or more.
On October 14, 2024, Swiatek became only the seventh woman to achieve two stints of consecutive 50-week stays at No 1.
What did Iga Swiatek achieve in Miami in 2022?
The Polish star became the youngest woman to ever win the prestigious “Sunshine Double” at the Miami Open in 2022, adding the title to the one she won in Indian Wells. Swiatek joins Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka on the prestigious list. She defeated Naomi Osaka in the final, 6-4, 6-0, and dropped only 26 games in her six matches in Miami – the lowest total dropped since Martina Hingis won the title by dropping just 21 games in 2001.
What is Swiatek’s longest winning streak?
The Pole strung together an amazing 37-match winning streak in 2022, adding the Rome title to the ones she won in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, and Stuttgart (along with two wins in the Billie Jean King Cup) – plus of course the French Open crown. Her streak is the longest on the WTA Tour this millennium.
It came to an end at Wimbledon, at the hands of France’s Alize Cornet.
What are the biggest moments of Iga Swiatek’s career?
Iga Swiatek won the first professional tournament she entered, in Stockholm in 2016. But, until Roland-Garros 2020, she had not won a WTA Tour-level title. She was also a prolific junior, winning the girls’ doubles title at Roland Garros, and then the singles title at Wimbledon in 2018. That same year, the Pole also won the gold medal in doubles at the youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, in the company of Kaja Juvan.
In Paris in 2020, she became a Grand Slam champion for the first time, beating world No 1 Simona Halep in the fourth round and Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the final to take the Roland-Garros title in one of the biggest surprises in recent history.
In February 2021 Swiatek captured her very first hard court title at the Adelaide Open, defeating Belinda Bencic, in the final 6-2, 6-2. She won a big title in Rome the same year. Additionally, in February 22, she won her fourth career title when she triumphed in Doha.
In 2022, she won consecutive WTA 1000 titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, and Rome. Today, she is the undisputed leader on the women’s tour.
In 2023, Iga Swiatek won Roland-Garros for the third time and then recorded her best-ever finish at Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time. With grass being her least natural surface, Swiatek had never been past the fourth round before. She was eventually beaten by Elina Svitolina in that last-eight match.
Swiatek then ended the year by demolishing Jessica Pegula to win the WTA Finals for the first time, ensuring she finished 2023 as the world No 1. Swuatek then added a fourth Roland-Garros title in 2024 to win her fifth slam title.
Where was Iga Swiatek born?
Iga Swiatek was born in Warsaw, Poland. She still lives not far from the Polish capital, in the small town of Raszyn. Iga’s father, Tomasz Swiatek, rowed at a high level and even competed in the Seoul Olympics (1988) in the four-scull category. Iga also has an older sister, Agata, who is three years her senior.
How old is Swiatek?
Swiatek was born on May 31, 2001, which makes her 23 years old as of November 2024.
How tall is Iga Swiatek?
Iga is 1.76m (5ft 9in), according to her profile on the WTA Tour website.
How is Iga Swiatek’s name pronounced?
Please note, a little subtlety: with the specific characters of the Polish alphabet, the name of the Pole is written Świątek. The “Ś” is pronounced “sh” and the “ą” corresponds to the sound “on”. Therefore, we must say “Shviontek”.
Why did she start playing tennis?
To imitate her big sister… and also to try to beat her. Agata briefly played on the ITF junior circuit at the age of 15, before hanging up the racquet due to recurring injuries.
How much PRIZE MONEY HAS SWIATEK WON?
According to the official WTA website, Iga Swiatek has won $33.1 million in prize money, as of November 29, 2024.
What kind of music does Iga Swiatek listen to?
Iga Swiatek is a big fan of rock, and in particular of the American group Guns N’Roses. She also listens to songs from even more “old school” bands, such as AC / DC or Pink Floyd. More recently, she has been listening to and learning about jazz.
She is also a big fan of American superstar Taylor Swift and attended one of her concerts recently.
Who is Iga Swiatek’s current partner?
There is currently no public information available on Iga Swiatek’s relationship status. The 23-year-old has not posted any relationship updates on social media, and has not been seen in public with a partner.
Is Iga Swiatek active on social networks?
Iga Swiatek regularly posts photos on her Instagram account (1.8 million followers) as of November 29, 2024. She also has an official X/ Twitter account (616K followers) and a Facebook page (484K followers).
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