“It has been a season in which I have accepted that I cannot be a superheroine”

Iga Swiatek continues to write her story within the WTA circuit. It’s a tale with far more pages of gold than twisted lines, a story that keeps her within the top 2 of the world rankings and where each season she leaves her mark on a new Grand Slam. 2024 has been no different, although it was a season with more ups and downs than before, a result of exaggerated emotional tension and overwhelming media scrutiny in her home country.

Perhaps Iga put too much pressure on herself during the Olympic Games, depleting her fuel tank, especially psychologically. She faced the remaining big matches of the season in reserve, relinquishing the world’s throne to Sabalenka, yet finishing solidly a year that began with Iga’s signature. Title at Roland Garros, in Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rome… Who wouldn’t sign up for a year like that? Surely, the Polish player’s ambition goes further, but she herself reflects on her season, acknowledging that the superhero cape, this time, stayed at home.

“Thank you for this season. First and foremost, I want to thank myself and my team because we have experienced another extraordinary year. It has been a year where I had to not be a superheroine and accept it, face new challenges, fight, work hard, appreciate new milestones, and unlock new successes. However, what’s truly essential is that I end this year completely satisfied and with great pride in my dedication, strength, and all that I have done and achieved, beyond what words can express. It’s time to reset, to start anew. My body and mind need it. Thanks to all those who are by my side on this journey; see you soon,” expressed an emotional Iga in a statement.

COACH CHANGES, PRESSURE… AND MANY VICTORIES

It has also been a season marked by Iga’s coaching shift, with the arrival of Wim Fisette, who aims to have an immediate impact starting in 2025. A new year with a plethora of intriguing challenges lies ahead for the Polish player: perhaps the main one is to exhibit greater confidence in her style on surfaces where the game doesn’t flow as naturally, especially in Australia and Wimbledon, tournaments where Swiatek’s room for improvement is substantial.

Better mental load management could provide Swiatek with an extra boost of confidence off the clay courts, where she will likely remain, or at least we can assume so, the undisputed queen of the circuit. Imagine: if in a year of ups and downs, with many setbacks and tears, Iga managed to secure a Major and numerous WTA 1000 titles, what can she achieve when fully focused and without the mental drain of such exhausting Olympic Games? The answer will be revealed in 2025, where there’s an added incentive: reclaiming the number one spot in the world. Let the rest get ready.