Iga Swiatek has yet to reach a tour-level final in 2025, despite reaching the quarterfinals of all seven tournaments she’s played.
The Polish star suffered another shock loss recently, when Swiatek fell to Coco Gauff, 1-6, 1-6, in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
Swiatek hadn’t suffered a defeat that comprehensive on clay since she won just one game against Simona Halep at the French Open six years earlier.
Low on confidence and struggling for form, Swiatek will now attempt to defend her Italian Open title in Rome.
Ahead of her return to action, Roger Federer’s former coach has identified Swiatek’s main issue and told her what she needs to do.
Paul Annacone says Iga Swiatek is struggling ‘between her ears’ and needs to ‘calm down’
Appearing as a guest on the Inside-In Tennis Podcast, Paul Annacone shared his thoughts on Swiatek’s struggles.
“I think the biggest thing is between her ears, really,” he said.
“At that level, I really think the mental aspects lead the physical most of the time. You are not all of a sudden not great. That does not happen.
“So there is something going on, maybe she is missing her forehand a little. Maybe she is struggling on serve a little.
“But the discrepancy between average and poor should not be so vast, and the discrepancy between average and great should not be so vast.”
Annacone explained how Swiatek’s intensity could be working against her in 2025.
“Great players usually navigate and moderate that pretty well. She has not been lately. She seems a bit on edge,” he said.
“She is a type A personality, where she is a little intense all the time, which looks great when you are winning, because it is a relentless, one point at a time inevitability in terms of being unbelievably oppressive to your opponent.
“But if you are a little negative, and that way it is tough to calm yourself down and get back into a cool, composed, confident process.”
The American advised Swiatek on what she should do to find her way out of this rough patch of form.
“That is what she needs to work on right now. Taking deep breaths, keep things simple, and seeing how relentlessly optimistic she can stay,” said Annacone.
“Because as good as Coco [Gauff] is, she is not a one-and-one player to lose to Coco Gauff. That is not discrediting Coco, but Swiatek should not be losing one and one to anybody.
“So there is something going on that she needs to sit through, and she is a great player, and every great player goes through that.
“I will be shocked if she doesn’t sit through it; it is just a matter of when for her.”
Swiatek will look to bounce back with a strong showing in Rome, a tournament she’s won three times previously.
Iga Swiatek’s remarkable record at the Italian Open and French Open
The world number two will now play her two favorite tournaments, the Italian Open and the French Open.
Perhaps there are no better destinations for Swiatek to rediscover her best tennis than at events she’s dominated over the years.
- Italian Open: 20-2 record (91% win rate) – 3 titles
- French Open: 35-2 record (95% win rate) – 4 titles
Barring her quarterfinal defeat in Rome two years ago, where Swiatek retired injured during the third set against Elena Rybakina, she hasn’t lost a match at the Italian Open in 1,695 days.
Her winning streak is almost as impressive in Paris, last losing 1,428 days ago to Maria Sakkari at the 2021 French Open.
Swiatek’s combined record of 55-4 (93% win rate) at the Italian Open and French Open should scare the rest of the WTA Tour, regardless of whether she’s struggled for form recently.
She’ll no doubt have one eye on the French Open, where she’ll look to become the first player in the Open Era to win four consecutive titles, but will first switch her attentions to Rome.
The Pole doesn’t have the easiest of routes to the title, however, with several dangerous players standing between her and a fourth title in the Italian capital.
Iga Swiatek’s route to the 2025 Italian Open title (By ranking)
- 2R – Elina Avanesyan
- 3R – Danielle Collins
- 4R – Elina Svitolina
- QF – Madison Keys
- SF – Jessica Pegula
- F – Aryna Sabalenka
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina proved her clay court talents in Madrid recently with a run to the last four and would be a tough out for Swiatek should they face off in the fourth round.
Swiatek won’t be happy to see Madison Keys in her draw either, after the American handed her a rare ‘bagel’ (6-0 set) during their Madrid Open quarterfinal match.
A rematch of the 2024 final against her Belarusian rival would certainly get fans talking, after Swiatek beat Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the title last time around.
Only time will tell if Swiatek can return to the final in 2025, ending her streak of quarterfinal and semi-final exits on the WTA Tour.
Swiatek will begin her Italian Open campaign against either Elina Avanesyan or Elisabetta Cocciaretto later this week.
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