“Sunday Morning Pancakes with Dad”: Iga Swiatek’s Sweetest Memory of Growing Up

Long before she became a tennis sensation and a multiple Grand Slam champion, Iga Swiatek was just a little girl growing up in a small town in Poland. In interviews, she has often credited her family for shaping her values and providing her with a strong foundation. One heartwarming story she recently shared shines a light on the simple yet meaningful moments that defined her childhood: Sunday morning pancakes with her dad.

A Weekly Tradition of Love and Laughter
For Iga, Sundays were sacred, not just for rest but for family. Her father, Tomasz Swiatek, played a pivotal role in her upbringing, and one of their most cherished rituals was making pancakes together. While most people might see pancakes as a mundane breakfast, for Iga, it symbolized much more—a time to bond, laugh, and share stories.

“Every Sunday, my dad and I would wake up early, head to the kitchen, and start preparing pancakes,” she recalls. “He let me mix the batter, even though I’d often make a mess, and he’d always flip the pancakes perfectly, something I could never master.”

Life Lessons in the Kitchen
This weekly tradition wasn’t just about breakfast; it was a time for Tomasz to instill life lessons in Iga in the most subtle ways. Whether it was teaching her patience as they waited for the batter to set or resilience when a pancake flipped and fell apart, these moments were invaluable.

“Dad would always say, ‘It’s okay if it’s not perfect; what matters is that we made it together,’” Iga shared. “That stuck with me. I think it’s the same approach I take to tennis now—focus on effort and connection, not just the results.”

A Taste of Comfort During Challenging Times
As Iga’s tennis career began to take off, her schedule became increasingly demanding, leaving little room for leisurely Sunday mornings. Yet, she says those pancake rituals remain etched in her heart. Even now, when she’s away from home, she sometimes craves the warmth and simplicity of those mornings.

“Whenever I feel homesick, I try to make pancakes in my hotel room. It’s never the same as when Dad makes them, but it always takes me back,” she admitted with a smile.

Family Support: The Backbone of Her Success
Iga has often highlighted her father’s unwavering support throughout her tennis journey. Tomasz, a former rower and Olympian, understood the discipline and sacrifices required in sports. Yet, he never let those pressures overshadow the importance of family and balance.

“Even when I started competing seriously, Dad made sure we still had moments like those pancake Sundays. He always reminded me that life is about more than just achievements,” Iga shared.

Carrying the Tradition Forward
Now a global tennis icon, Iga hopes to carry forward the spirit of those Sunday mornings. Though her schedule might not allow for consistent traditions, she’s determined to ensure that future moments with her loved ones are just as meaningful.

“One day, I’d love to have my own Sunday pancake mornings with my family. It’s such a small thing, but it meant the world to me growing up,” she said.

A Reminder of the Power of Simple Moments
Iga Swiatek’s story about Sunday morning pancakes is a reminder that life’s sweetest memories often come from the simplest traditions. It’s not about grand gestures or elaborate plans—it’s about time spent together, laughter shared, and the little lessons that leave a lasting impact.

For Iga, those mornings with her dad didn’t just fill her stomach—they filled her heart and helped shape the grounded, focused, and compassionate person she is today.