Unveiling the Journey of Iga Świątek: From Introversion to Grand Slam Glory

Iga Świątek is usually very composed and doesn't show much emotion, whether she's winning big matches or facing tough losses in tennis. However, finding out that she would become the world No. 1 was a different story for her.

"It was a really overwhelming moment," recalls Świątek. "I couldn't help but cry for about 20 minutes."

That emotional moment of reflection two years ago marked the beginning of her journey. Since then, the Polish star has become a dominant force in women's tennis, winning a total of 21 titles, 16 of which were claimed after reaching the top of the rankings. She briefly dropped from the No. 1 spot for eight weeks last year, but quickly reclaimed her position.

Her unmatched ability to defeat opponents in a ruthless manner has earned her a reputation on the court. With a habit of winning sets by a score of 6-0 (referred to as a "bagel") and 6-1 (known as a "breadstick"), tennis fans have jokingly dubbed her as running a bakery due to her success in delivering these decisive victories.

After winning consecutive titles in Madrid and Rome, the 22-year-old is in great form as she aims to secure her fifth grand slam victory at the French Open. She enters the tournament on a impressive 12-match winning streak.

In today's women's tennis scene, no player has accomplished as much in such a short period of time. Even Świątek herself acknowledges that her success has taken her by surprise.

"It all happened so fast," she tells CNN Sport. "When I was younger, I never imagined I would be in the top five, let alone achieve these kinds of stats.

"I am truly proud of myself and the team. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to reach this place."

Świątek celebrates winning the Madrid Open after defeating Aryna Sabalenka.

Świątek celebrates winning the Madrid Open after defeating Aryna Sabalenka.

Susana Vera/Reuters

Świątek is most prolific on her preferred surface of clay, and the French Open, where she is a three-time champion, is her favorite of the four grand slams.

Since her debut in 2019, she has only been defeated twice at Roland Garros, securing 28 wins. The next opponent, whether a qualifier or lucky loser, could potentially fall victim to Świątek in the first round.

However, being the world No. 1 and achieving such dominance in a tournament brings its own set of challenges, especially when you are the player that everyone in the draw is eager to defeat.

Świątek shared that sometimes she gets a certain feeling off the court or when she analyzes matches. She notices that some players seem to be extra motivated when playing against her.

However, when she is on the court, Świątek focuses solely on the game without dwelling on these thoughts. She believes that the best approach is to take it step-by-step, avoiding looking at the draws or thinking about potential outcomes in the quarterfinals or semifinals as there is still a long journey ahead.

Świątek has been the world No. 1 for over 100 weeks now, and she is starting to get used to the extra pressures and duties that come with being at the top.

However, this journey has been a learning experience for her. In addition to managing her own high expectations for each tournament, she has also had to navigate the heightened attention from the media and the growing demands from her expanding list of sponsors.

For someone who considers themselves an introvert, it hasn't always been easy.

"I'm known as an introvert and I enjoy peace and quiet," says Świątek. "I try to take it easy and handle my responsibilities in a manageable way."

Świątek kisses the trophy after winning the 2022 French Open.

Świątek kisses the trophy after winning the 2022 French Open.

Yves Herman/Reuters

One way of handling these demands has been working closely with her sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, who travels around the world as part of Świątek’s team of trainers.

The main focus is on improving performance, such as concentration, handling high-pressure situations, and staying calm on the court. However, Abramowicz’s impact goes beyond just that.

Świątek reflects on her experience, saying, “When we started in 2019, I was very introverted. Abramowicz helped me feel more at ease in the world around me. I believe that without this aspect of our work together, I wouldn’t be able to manage the pressure and attention that comes with being ranked world No. 1.”

Iga Świątek's sponsors include Porsche, Rolex, LEGO, and Lancôme. She finds LEGO helpful for mental preparation and is the first athlete to have a global ambassador deal with Lancôme.

She has a friend who advises her to focus on her game and not overdo things, noticing when she's struggling to concentrate.

Last year, she made history as the first female athlete to be sponsored by sportswear brand On. She played a key role in creating the company's first tennis range. "I feel really supported," says Świątek about the partnership. It can be tough when you're working with companies that have many other athletes in the same sport.

A new short film by On showcasing her journey to the top of the tennis world was released earlier this week.

Świątek serves against Karolína Muchová during last year's final at Roland Garros.

Świątek serves against Karolína Muchová during last year's final at Roland Garros.

Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty Images

Given her sustained success in recent years, it’s no surprise that Świątek has attracted so much attention from sponsors.

Last year, she was recognized as Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete, earning a total of $23.9 million. This impressive sum included $9.9 million from prize money and $14 million from off-court endorsements. She surpassed Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu and American competitor Coco Gauff to claim the top spot on the list.

On Forbes’ ranking, tennis players dominated the top spots. Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, and Aryna Sabalenka were among the nine players in the top 10 and twelve in the top 20.

Since Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova retired, Iga Świątek has stood out as a player who consistently competes to win grand slams every week, according to Max Eisenbud, Świątek’s agent at IMG, in an interview with CNN Sport.

Eisenbud believes that Świątek's consistency on the court has made her very appealing to potential sponsors. He mentions that brands appreciate her authenticity and realness, which sets her apart in a world dominated by social media influencers.

Świątek values being authentic, which for her, includes openly expressing her admiration for Taylor Swift and her passion for LEGO. She even received a model of Rome's Colosseum as a birthday gift last year. In her free time, she likes to relax by reading in the park. While she appreciates autobiographies like those of Andre Agassi and Lindsey Vonn, she usually leans towards fiction over sports books.

"I find that I sometimes have an overload of sports in my life," Świątek confesses.

Świątek was estimated by Forbes to be the world's highest-paid female athlete last year.

Świątek was estimated by Forbes to be the world's highest-paid female athlete last year.

Robert Prange/Getty Images

Eisenbud calls her a “dream client” and “one of the most professional athletes I’ve ever been around.”

He mentions that she wakes up each day with a focus on excellence, from her diet and sleep to the decisions she makes. This dedicated and detailed approach has contributed to her current status as the best all-around player in women's tennis. She possesses aggressive groundstrokes, a powerful topspin forehand, and strategic movement on the court.

At Roland Garros, Świątek has the chance to make history by becoming just the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive titles, following in the footsteps of Monica Seles and Justine Henin. This would be another remarkable achievement to add to her already impressive resume.

Even though she would only be 23 years old at that time, Świątek has already accumulated more titles and accolades than many tennis players can even imagine. From her humble beginnings and modest childhood ambitions, the sky seems to be the limit for the potential of Świątek's career.

Editor's P/S:

Iga Świątek's journey to the pinnacle of women's tennis is a testament to her exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the power of teamwork. Her ability to dominate opponents with ruthless efficiency has earned her the nickname "Queen of the Court," a title she has rightfully earned through her impressive string of victories. Her dominance is not limited to the court; Świątek has also become a force in the world of sponsorships, with her authenticity and realness setting her apart in the crowded field of social media influencers.

Świątek's success, however, has not come without its challenges. As the world No. 1, she faces immense pressure and heightened expectations from fans and opponents alike. She has had to learn to navigate the extra scrutiny and demands that come with being at the top, all while maintaining her focus and composure on the court. Her close collaboration with her sports psychologist has been instrumental in helping her manage these pressures and stay grounded amidst the whirlwind of attention.