Iga Świątek’s latest victory at the Korea Open carried more than just a trophy. After dispatching second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5, the World No. 2 reflected on a personal connection to the event’s setting.
Seoul, where the tournament is staged, was the same city where her father, Tomasz, competed as an Olympian in 1988. For Iga, who is also a bronze medalist herself, the experience felt like a full-circle moment, linking her rise in tennis to her father’s legacy in rowing.
How Are Iga Świątek’s Achievements Connected to Father Tomasz’s Olympic History?
Tomasz, born July 26, 1964, in Poland, built a respected career in rowing long before Iga picked up a racket. He was part of Poland’s men’s quadruple sculls team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, finishing seventh overall. A year earlier, he won gold at the 1987 Universiade.
Competing under the banner of AZS Warsaw, a well-known Polish university sports club, Tomasz earned recognition as an accomplished athlete in his own right. That Olympic connection has now resurfaced through his daughter’s dominance on the tennis court.
In addition to his own achievements, Tomasz played a critical role in shaping Iga’s path. According to WP SportoweFakty, he coached her during her early years and remained part of her inner team until 2024, when he decided to step back to allow her more independence.
“I haven’t cut myself off, because I’m still there for her, going to many tournaments. However, I try to have my own life and let Iga live and work the way she wants,” he told the Polish media outlet. “I’m happy to be there as a parent. It’s truly better for everyone when there’s a division of roles and responsibilities. The result is good results on the court. We are, above all, a family, and family isn’t a job. Iga has specialists for that.”
His guidance also extended to his older daughter, Agata, who initially tried her hand at swimming and tennis before shifting her focus to dentistry. Unlike Agata, Iga chose to fully commit to tennis, with her father providing stability during the uncertain early years. He has openly acknowledged the financial strain the family faced to sustain her training, yet his determination never wavered.
Their shared journey was recognized at the national level in 2020, when Iga received the Gold Cross of Merit following her French Open triumph, and Tomasz was honored with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
