Iga Świątek has ended her 2026 Grand Slam season without a Major title for the first time since 2021. The Pole suffered a straight-sets defeat to Zheng Qinwen in the fourth round of the US Open on Monday, September 7, but it was the manner of her loss that drew the most attention. Świątek squandered a 5-0 lead in the opening set before eventually falling to the Chinese star.
When a reporter asked her about processing the unusual scoreline and what she could learn from it, the former World No. 1 appeared visibly displeased.
Iga Świątek Issues Blunt Response After US Open Loss
Świątek entered the US Open as one of the top favorites to win the title, having carried strong form into the tournament with a title run in Toronto and a semifinal appearance in Cincinnati. The 2022 champion made a convincing start in New York, defeating Wang Xiyu 6-2, 6-3 before following it up with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Nadia Podoroska. She was tested in the third round by Marie Bouzková but ultimately prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(3).
Her next challenge, Zheng Qinwen, reached the fourth round in phenomenal form as a qualifier. The 2024 Australian Open finalist had endured a steep ranking decline, dropping out of the top 100 following a lingering elbow injury that eventually required surgery.
“I felt like I started missing too many shots. She started playing in. I let her back into the match,” Świątek said in her press conference following a 7-5, 6-3 defeat to the Chinese star.
Zheng began her main-draw campaign with three-set wins over Kristina Liutova and Yulia Putintseva before delivering one of the tournament’s most remarkable comebacks against Madison Keys. The Chinese star recovered from 0-5 down in the deciding set to stun the 2025 Australian Open champion 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5.
Just days later, Świątek found herself in a strikingly similar position. After surrendering a 5-0 lead in the opening set, the Pole was asked how she would process such a defeat.
“It’s just one match. I’ll try to play the same way as usual. What do you mean? Like, do you think it’s something crazy?” the former World No. 1 bluntly responded. “You know, you can lose a set from any score. So, nothing special about that. Just that’s what happened, and that’s it.”
Iga Swiatek in press after her loss to Qinwen Zheng:
“More specifically about the first set, having been up 5 love and bouncing back from that.. how do you think you’ll go about internalizing that and growing from it?”
“It’s just one match, like…. try to play the same way as… pic.twitter.com/sYQ9dmKWKE
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 7, 2026
Despite having a US Open title to her name, Świątek has never appeared entirely comfortable at the New York major. When another reporter asked whether the “chaotic” nature of the tournament had affected her comfort level, the Pole responded curtly.
“I think it’s chaotic for everyone. So you just need to deal with it, and I’ve been fine. Thanks.”
She also clarified the reason behind the medical timeout she took during the match. “I’ve been fresher, but just little, you know, my quad is quite tired, but it had no influence on the game. Just wanted to give it a little boost, but yeah, it didn’t influence anything.”
Her fourth-round exit marked a step back from the quarterfinal appearances she had made at the US Open in each of the previous two years. Świątek won just 12 Grand Slam matches in 2026, her lowest tally since winning her first Major title.
The Pole, who has won just one title this season, will now turn her attention to the Asian swing, where she will look to produce strong results and strengthen her bid to qualify for the WTA Finals.
