Iga Swiatek defended by Andy Roddick after criticism from Polish media
Polish media have come under fire from Andy Roddick for the continued criticism of Iga Swiatek following the five-time Grand Slam winner’s slump in form.
Swiatek has been one of the standout players on the WTA Tour the past few years as she topped the WTA Rankings for an incredible 125 weeks.
Last year, she won five tournaments as she lifted the French Open trophy for a fourth time while she also collected four WTA 1000 titles.
But she has struggled since winning bronze at the 2024 Paris Games as she hasn’t reached a final since her title run at Roland Garros in June last year.
Following her failure to defend her trophies at the Madrid Open and Italian Open, Swiatek will drop to No 4 in the rankings – her lowest position since 2022.
Swiatek has come in for some criticism from Polish journalists and the 23-year-old recently hit out at the media in her home country, stating during a press conference: “There are so many theories right now I would say especially in Polish media about me that are not true.
“I think, I don’t know, you guys like to make some articles that will attract people. I get it. It’s part of the job.”
Roddick took aim at journalists in the European country as he believes they should treat their “greatest sports person” better.
“She complains about the Polish media. I’m sorry, if you are a sports journalist in Poland and you are crushing Iga on a week to week basis you are a f****** moron. You are. I’m sorry,” he said on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast.
“She is the greatest sports person you have ever had. Counter that to the Italian press giving Jannik a standing ovation when he walks into the press room, which is also ridiculous this week in Rome.
“If you are a Polish journalist and you are making Iga’s life really difficult and not throwing a parade every time she talks to you, you are a moron. It’s amazing.”
Questions have also been raised about Swiatek’s coach Wim Fissette, who took over in November last year, and her psychologist Daria Abramowicz.
The former world No 1 also voiced her frustration over suggestions she should part ways with them.
“I am irritated by headlines talking about falling apart or a mental crisis. Of course, sometimes I get annoyed on the court. Sometimes I’m not as focused as I’d like,” Swiatek said in an interview with SportoweFakty.
“But I work, day in and day out, week in and week out, to be better. So there is no reason to make strange judgments or look for fatigue or burnout.”
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Roddick says it is important to give Swiatek and Fissette time to figure things out.
The former world No 1 added: “She is not playing that well. She is not playing that great. It’s weird – you mention the coaching change and it’s strange because it’s Wim Fissette.
“You know him as well regarded coach, you know that his track record is good and he has worked with a bunch of players.
“This guy has been doing some freaking work on the coaching side for 15 years so it’s an obvious play for her to hire Wim Fisette and it seems like they are searching for whatever reason.
“I do know that Iga is a Hall of Fame player and talent. Wim Fissette is that on the coaching side and they are searching. Such is sport, there is no scripts, you have to go out there and earn it every day.”
