Iga Swiatek was involved in another bizarre press-conference exchange, telling a journalist he needed ‘a mental health break’ after she was dumped out the US Open.
The Polish star was knocked out the women’s singles on Wednesday after a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Amanda Anisimova – who she previously beat 6-0, 6-0 at Wimbledon back in July.
Earlier in the event, the No2 seed took umbrage to a Polish reporter asking her if she might consider wearing beads in her hair.
After her defeat by Anisimova in Wednesday’s quarter-final, she faced a far more legitimate question but reacted spikily.
In a tense exchange with one reporter, Swiatek was asked: ‘It’s been a lot of tennis the last few weeks: Wimbledon, the American tournaments leading up to this, and now this. How tired are you at the moment?
In a blunt response, the Pole said: ‘Well, I don’t know. It’s not like my matches were exhausting here’.
Iga Swiatek was involved in another bizarre press-conference exchange after her US Open exit
Swiatek bit back at a reporter who suggested that she might need a mental health break
The reporter then asked whether Swiatek feels as though she needs a mental break – which has become popular among the sport’s stars – after the US Open.
However, Swiatek bit back and said: ‘Why would you say that?’
The reporter replied: ‘I just wondered. It’s just a lot in a row. Do you look forward to a break?’
Swiatek then flipped the script, as she said: ‘Well, talk to people responsible for the schedule. Do you need mental break?’
The bemused reporter said, ‘Sorry?’ before Swiatek continued. ‘You look like you need mental break,’ she said.
The reporter agreed that they do need a break but, first, they’ve ‘got to get to the end of the tournament’. Swiatek wished them luck before taking another question.
It’s been an action-packed 2025 season for Swiatek, who made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open and French Open – before winning Wimbledon in July.
She also reached the finals of the US Open mixed doubles – along with partner Casper Ruud – but suffered defeat to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
The Polish star was knocked out the women’s singles after a 6-4, 6-3 to Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova got revenge on Swiatek after losing 6-0, 6-0 to the Pole in July’s Wimbledon final
Mental health breaks have become more prominent in tennis as the years go by – with Swiatek’s opponent Anisimova previously going on indefinite leave for that reason.
The American walked away from tennis in May 2023, took an eighth month hiatus, before returning in January 2024.
In a statement she released at the time, she said: ‘Hey guys. I thought I’d make a post explaining what’s been going on and my plans.
‘I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022. It’s become unbearable being at tennis tournaments.
‘At this point my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I’ve worked as hard as I could to push through it. I will miss being out there, and I appreciate all the continuous support’.
