By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, March 3, 2025
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Tennis Paradise is the ultimate remedy for Iga Swiatek, claims Hall of Famer Lindsay Davenport.
In a recent Zoom press conference promoting the Tennis Channel’s exclusive coverage of the BNP Paribas Open kicking off Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET, Davenport elaborated on Swiatek’s Middle Eastern struggles and expressed optimism for her resurgence in Indian Wells.
Pegula: Swiatek’s Journey—Balancing Faith and Challenges
Davenport, a former world No. 1, noted visible signs of pressure in Swiatek’s demeanor following her 6-3, 6-3 defeat to Mirra Andreeva in Dubai, which came on the heels of a surprising 6-3, 6-1 loss to Jelena Ostapenko in the Doha semifinals.
“When Iga takes the court, her emotions are palpable, and you can gain profound insight just by looking into her eyes,” Davenport remarked. “However, for reasons yet unclear, she appears more strained recently.”
“Whether that’s due to recent results or a coaching change, I can’t definitively say. Speculation aside, she seems less composed and more agitated when faced with tight situations, unlike her usual best.”
Despite winning Indian Wells two out of the last three years, Swiatek finds herself facing elevated scrutiny this season.
After successfully defending her title in Doha, she entered the 2024 Indian Wells with a stellar 14-2 record, dominating the event last spring. Swiatek dispatched opponents including Danielle Collins and Maria Sakkari without dropping a set, triumphing in the final.
With 16 wins in her last 17 matches at the BNP Paribas Open, the stakes are high for Swiatek as she launches her title defense this week.
This time, however, a new chapter unfolds: Swiatek is collaborating with coach Wim Fissette, seeking to enhance her speed and spin control against formidable hitters. Unfortunately, her recent three losses—including a heart-wrenching Australian Open semifinal against Madison Keys—highlight vulnerabilities against players who can dominate the center of the court.
Davenport believes that the unique conditions at Indian Wells play into Swiatek’s strengths.
The slower, grittier surface allows her to set up her powerful forehands, while the altitude enhances her heavy topspin, giving her the edge over flat hitters who struggle with this environment.
Moreover, Davenport asserts that Swiatek’s history of success at Indian Wells could rejuvenate her confidence and performance.
“Feeling a bit pressured is normal, but sometimes all it takes is one tournament or match to rekindle a player’s spark,” Davenport remarked. “Fortunately, she’s stepping into one of her favored tournaments, where positive emotions can help pivot her trajectory.”
“The court’s attributes complement her skill set perfectly, granting her enough time to unleash powerful shots. However, the mental aspect remains her greatest hurdle: Is she confident? Ready to reclaim her best form?”
“Her aspirations mirror those of players like Sabalenka, who are striving to capture Grand Slams. The disappointment from missing out on the Australian Open must weigh heavily.”
To assess Swiatek’s confidence in her opening matches, Davenport advises paying attention to her body language, which provides significant insight into the former No. 1’s mindset.
“As she steps onto the court, her need to perform well is heightened, particularly with the goal of regaining her No. 1 ranking,” Davenport added. “It will be interesting to observe her mental state.”
“One can typically gauge her mood based on her demeanor during matches and practices—whether she appears relaxed or tense,” she concluded.
