Iga Swiatek enjoyed another superb season on the court, but she was severely impacted by issues off it.
Swiatek won five WTA Tour-level titles in 2024, more than any other player, including a third successive French Open title in Paris.
But a failed drug test left Swiatek in tears, with the Pole having tested positive for a heart medication known as TMZ.
Swiatek served a one-month suspension between September and October, missing out on the Asian swing.
At the time she claimed coaching changes were the main reason behind her absence, having replaced Tomasz Wiktorowski with Wim Fissette.
Mark Petchey reacts to ‘most unlikeable’ Iga Swiatek claim
But news of her ban has since emerged, with Swiatek losing her WTA Tour number one ranking spot to Aryna Sabalenka amid the issue.
Now sharing his verdict on the Pole, Chris Hasek-Watt from the Love Means Nothing podcast has posed the question: “Is Iga Swiatek the most unlikeable #1 in WTA history?”
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In a tirade on X, he began: “I’m just going to say it, there is nothing likeable about Iga Swiatek,” with Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey commenting: “Hate to engage but in a world of freezing cold takes this is permafrost.”
Tennis fans defend Iga Swiatek after unnecessary criticism
There was rightfully plenty of agreement with former world number 80 Petchey after the unnecessary criticism against Swiatek.
One fan replied to Petchey with the words: “Cruel. We have enough of that in this world,” with another replying to the original post: “Awful take, acting as if you know her personally.”
Bastien Fachan meanwhile commented: “1/ Who are you to say who’s likeable or not? 2/ If you’re going to mention someone’s name three times in 50 seconds, at least make sure to get the pronunciation right!”
Importantly, Swiatek will definitely not be listening to or indeed care about the claims made about her likeability as she prepares for a new season.
The Pole certainly took a big hit with her failed drugs test, not only with her ranking drop but also in terms of prize money.
Now, however, with her ban served, the WTA number two should be free to express herself on the court, rather than pandering to those off it.
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She should be aiming to return to the summit of women’s tennis in 2025, as well as winning a sixth Grand Slam title, although her confidence may have taken a knock in recent times.
However, aged just 23, Swiatek has remarkably already won four French Open and one US Open title, with plenty of major championship success very likely to arrive in the near future.
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