Iga Swiatek had penned a heartfelt letter for the Players’ Tribune, where she delved into her battle with social anxiety. Known for being a vocal advocate of mental health, Swiatek had previously opened up about seeking support from a psychologist early in her career. In her letter, she continued to emphasize the importance of mental well-being and her struggles since childhood, which she termed “social awkwardness.”
Swiatek openly disclosed her struggles, admitting, “You might imagine that I stayed up all night as a kid dreaming about being a big tennis player, but no. To tell you the truth, at night, I dreamed about feeling a bit more natural in social situations.”
Iga Swiatek didn’t dream about being a pro tennis player, she dreamed about feeling more natural in social situations:
“You might imagine that I stayed up all night as a kid dreaming about being a big tennis player, but no. To tell you the truth, at night, I dreamed about… pic.twitter.com/fmN00mxRfS
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 21, 2023
She shared the challenges she faced, revealing, “Until I was 17 or 18, it was hard sometimes to look people in the eyes. I hated how hard it was for me.” Acknowledging her unique journey, she stated that her journey was unlike most of the other athletes, and she was okay with accepting it.
These words went straight to my heart so much that I’m on the verge of tears… This is how I felt most of the time in my life, I see myself in this story… Thank you @iga_swiatek for sharing it, thank you for showing your simplicity and humanity to the world 🤍 https://t.co/2unXqGh6W5
— :: Şꪮʊℓ :: ◥ ◤ (@FreakySoul8) December 21, 2023
Fans resonated deeply with Swiatek’s candid admission. One supporter expressed, “These words went straight to my heart so much that I’m on the verge of tears… I see myself in this story… thank you for showing your simplicity and humanity to the world.”
Social tepidity is not always indicative of an absence of social intelligence; indeed it may very well be a clear example of the opposite. I think Iga’s dream is coming true. https://t.co/SEx9GJFbSR
— Matthew N. Czuba (@mnczuba) December 22, 2023
Another fan pointed out that social detachment doesn’t always imply a lack of social intelligence; on the contrary, it might be the clear opposite. The fan expressed the belief that Iga’s dream appeared to be coming true now that she had started openly discussing her struggles with social anxiety. Swiatek’s candidness about her struggles and mental health advocacy has deeply resonated with the fans.
Why Iga Swiatek reduces her social media use during the tennis season
Iga Swiatek, the world’s top-ranked player and a four-time Grand Slam champion, recently disclosed her preference for limiting social media use during the tennis season due to the prevalent negativity and hostility online. Despite her numerous achievements and a successful 2023 season, where she secured six titles, some critics downplayed her accomplishments for winning just one Slam.
Acknowledging the potential impact of negative comments, Swiatek expressed her decision to distance herself from social media during tournaments to avoid any adverse effects on her mental well-being.
Iga #Swiatek reveals she avoids social media due to all the ‘hate’ https://t.co/fqkRkYeDIM
— Lee Vowell (@LeeVowell) December 20, 2023
In a recent interview, Swiatek shared insights into her social media habits, revealing that she dedicates more time to them during the offseason. However, she consciously reduces her online presence during the season to shield herself from the potential negativity that could arise. She stated, “They might just make me read something that hits me. Of course, there is a lot of hate now, so it’s not like you can surf the Internet freely.”
Swiatek emphasized the prevalence of hate on the internet, making it challenging to freely traverse online platforms. As she prepares for the 2024 season, Swiatek remains focused on her training and upcoming competitions, starting with the United Cup, where she will represent Poland for the second year in succession.