Iga Swiatek was ‘psychologically lost on the court’ in shock Wimbledon loss, says former WTA star

Ewan West
Iga Swiatek in action at Wimbledon in 2024
Iga Swiatek in action at Wimbledon in 2024

Former world No 12 Tatiana Golovin has asserted that Iga Swiatek was “psychologically lost on the court” in her shock 2024 Wimbledon defeat to Yulia Putintseva.

The retired WTA star believes Swiatek is unable to “get over her emotions” in situations where matches become “too complicated” and likened the contest to the Pole’s 2023 Wimbledon loss.

Swiatek fell to a disappointing 6-3, 1-6, 2-6 upset defeat to world No 35 Putintseva in the third round at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Following a positive opening set, Swiatek was broken four times as she slipped to a convincing loss to Putintseva, who she had beaten in straight sets in each of the pair’s four previous matches.

The world No 1 achieved her best result from her five Wimbledon appearances in 2023, when she was beaten by Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.

The five-time Grand Slam champion holds an 11-5 (69%) record at Wimbledon, which is the only Major she is yet to reach the semi-finals at. Swiatek, who is a 22-time WTA titlist, is yet to reach a final at a grass-court tournament.

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The 23-year-old’s exit at the All England Club ended a superb 21-match winning streak that began in April and featured triumphs at the Madrid Open, the Italian Open and Roland Garros.

Speaking on beIN Sports France, Golovin assessed that Swiatek’s decision-making is often negatively affected in matches that become difficult.

“Even though Swiatek won the first set, we felt she was much more tense against this Putintseva, who managed to make her doubt,” said the Frenchwoman, who won two WTA titles.

“And once again, we have the impression that if it becomes too complicated for Swiatek, she cannot get over her emotions, and we saw her completely lose her lucidity about her choices.

“She was once again psychologically lost on the court and it is a defeat that resembles that of last year [against Elina Svitolina at Wimbledon].”

Swiatek will next turn her attention to preparing for the Paris Olympics, with the tennis event to be staged at Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4.

It will be the Polish star’s second Olympic appearance after she reached the second round on her Games debut in Tokyo in 2021.

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