While Jannik Sinner completed a successful title defence at Wimbledon, Iga Swiatek’s ended in the third round.
After claiming a maiden crown at the Championships last year, Swiatek lost to Alex Eala in round three, falling in straight sets 7-6, 6-2.
Eala became the first player from the Philippines, man or woman, to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam, where she was ultimately knocked out by Jasmine Paolini.
Alexandra Eala will finish 2026 ranked — in the world
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Swiatek‘s early exit at Wimbledon marked another poor result in a largely disappointing season, during which she has neither won a title nor made it past the quarterfinals of a major.
Having started the year as the world number two, the 25-year-old has now fallen to eighth in the WTA rankings.
Assessing Swiatek’s Wimbledon campaign, former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski had some advice for the six-time major champion.
Greg Rusedski reacts to Iga Swiatek’s run at Wimbledon
“I think she’s putting so much pressure and so much expectation on herself,” said Rusedski of Swiatek on his podcast, ‘Off Court with Greg‘.
“Like, she should be dominating like she was when she was winning those French Opens easily, winning the matches very convincingly.
“If you look at last year, she had a good year, but Wimbledon saved her when she won the title. This year, she hasn’t defended it.
“She hired Francisco Roig because she was hoping to get playing better on the grass courts and try to defend her Wimbledon title.
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“I think she’s got to just kind of get away from the game, remember what she’s achieved and what she’s done, and just try to play with some freedom. Because if you put so much pressure and expectation and aren’t just playing at one point at a time and just letting it happen, it’s very difficult.
“In the Swiatek-Eala match, Eala looked like the person who had six majors. She was the one with swagger, walking around with confidence. She (Swiatek) was very nervous. She was very tight.
“She’s got to find a way to find that love and remember what it was when she was a youngster, when there was just joy for playing tennis and finding ways to win.
“If she does that, she can find a way back. But sometimes she’s almost too intense. It’s a positive, but then it can be a negative as well.”
Greg Rusedski suggests Iga Swiatek has lost enjoyment for tennis
Rusedski continued: “I think it’s the mindset. For her, you look at everything being anxious. When she was dominating, yes, she was disciplined, but she still had a little bit of relaxation in there.
“It’s a tricky balance because what made her great and made her such a champion was that incredible intensity. But then, if you take it to the extreme, you don’t get the balance.
“Usually when you play your best tennis, you’re not overthinking. You’re just saying, okay, I’ve got to break down the backhand. Let’s go into the backhand side. And if I need to change it to the forehand, I will. And you just let it flow.
“And if she can get that flow back and that enjoyment, I think she’s too good a player not to get back to where she belongs in the top five competing for Slams, especially on clay courts, her favourite surface, where she hasn’t had the best performances the last few years.”
Swiatek will have 1120 WTA points to defend up until the US Open, the bulk of which will come at the Cincinnati Open, which she won last year.
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