Iga Swiatek reveals a very painful loss that later helped her win Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek described losing Danielle Collins in Rome as a “cold shower,” but also noted that it led to her becoming more serious and working harder.

After failing to end her title drought in Stuttgart and Madrid, Rome was the Polish tennis star’s last chance in exactly 12 months to avoid entering the French Open without a trophy.

Since Swiatek entered this year as defending champion and had a total of three titles at Foro Italico, there was certainly a reason for the 24-year-old to feel good about her chances. But then she suffered her first defeat in the Italian capital since 2020 after making 22 unforced errors and losing her serve six times during a 5-7 1-6 third-round loss to world number 64 Collins.

The Polish tennis star, ranked number 2 at the time, also fell out of the top 2 for the first time since early 2022.

However, Swiatek soon began to show her old brilliance as she reached the semi-finals of the French Open, finishing second in Bad Homburg, before putting together an excellent run at Wimbledon and winning her first title at the Championships.

Now the six-time Grand Slam champion reveals that losing to Collins gave her the spark she needed to rediscover her best form.

Swiatek: It was a cold shower that made it necessary for me to work harder

“On the other hand, a mood that was necessary to later play the semi-final at Roland Garros and win Wimbledon. I can regret it, but I think it would not have led to me actually working harder, because I worked very hard and I really wanted those victories in the first part of the season. Especially because I then started working with Wim Fissette and I wanted to prove that I could win even more with such an experienced coach,” said the Pole. TVP Sports.

“I added a little expectation to myself that was unnecessary. So the desire was there, the efforts were there, but perhaps not fully focused as they should have been. And only then I would say that I am on the right track with regard to such constructive work in all aspects.”

After ending her 13-month title drought at Wimbledon, Swiatek also won her first title at the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. The Polish tennis star also triumphed at the WTA 500 tournament in Seoul and ended the year as number 2 in the world.