Vulnerable Iga Swiatek Succumbs to Social Media Scrutiny as She Opens Up on Unfathomable External ‘Pressure’
The roar of the crowd fades, the final point is won, and Iga Swiatek, the reigning queen of women’s tennis, stands bathed in the spotlight. But the world #1 ranking isn’t just about titles and trophies anymore. In today’s age, athletes like Swiatek are celebrities, constantly under scrutiny. The pressure to perform flawlessly, both on and off the court, can be immense. But the Pole, with her recent revelation, offers a glimpse into how she navigates this new reality of “Being an athlete now is becoming a public figure.”
This Wednesday, May 22nd, something beyond the thrill of victory found its way onto ON’s YouTube channel. Titled “Beyond Number One,” this short film delves deeper than the trophies and rankings to explore the world of Iga Swiatek, the reigning queen of tennis. Describing her journey to the top in tennis, the 22-year-old player delved into the inevitable part of being a subject of scrutiny by fans. Despite that, Swiatek, who tries to remain authentic, stated, “The person you see in front of the camera is not that different than in real life. Being an athlete now is becoming a public figure. I wasn’t aware of that when I wanted to be a tennis player. That this is going to be a big part of life.”
Every move, every shot, every misstep is documented, dissected, and judged by a swirling vortex of online opinions. Athletes like Iga Swiatek, no matter how talented, can’t escape the constant scrutiny. It’s a double-edged sword – the same platform that connects them to fans can also amplify negativity and blur the lines between public and private life. Further illustrating her point, the Madrid Open champion added, “With social media everywhere and with people sharing every piece of information, it’s just more pressure because of the fact that every step we take is practically watched and often judged by people.”
