Iga Świątek’s post-match press conference took a dramatic turn after her 2025 US Open quarterfinal exit. The World No. 2 fired back at a reporter who suggested she might be in need of a “mental break.”
Clearly frustrated by the line of questioning, the Polish tennis star retorted, telling the journalist that he seemed to be in need of a break instead.
What Triggered Iga Świątek’s Sharp Response to a Reporter After Her US Open Loss?
Świątek arrived in New York as the second seed, fresh off her title run at the Cincinnati Open and sixth Grand Slam crown at the Wimbledon Championships. Her workload included not only singles but also a mixed doubles campaign alongside ATP World No. 12 Casper Ruud, where the third-seeded duo finished as runners-up against defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
After her defeat to Amanda Anisimova in the US Open quarterfinal on Wednesday, September 3, the Pole was questioned by a reporter about whether she was “tired” and needed a “mental break.” The subject sparked a pointed confrontation, with Świątek visibly disturbed by the seeming insinuation.
“Well, I don’t know. It’s not like my matches were exhausting here,” the former US Open champion replied to the possibility of being tired.
When the reporter pressed, suggesting she might be due for a “mental break,” Świątek bristled. “Why would you say that?” she shot back. The reporter explained it was simply curiosity, prompting Świątek to retort, “Well, talk to people responsible for the schedule. Do you need mental break?”
After a moment of confusion, she doubled down: “You look like you need mental break.” When the reporter admitted, “I do, yeah,” Świątek responded bluntly, “Well, then what are you doing here?” before closing the tense exchange with a clipped, “Good luck.”
🥶 Video of the exchange between Swiatek and David Law
pic.twitter.com/aMJHbXl5Ci https://t.co/Aoy3QgC96N
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) September 3, 2025
This was Świątek’s second such controversial press conference. After her second-round match at the US Open, the Pole fielded tense questions about the controversy involving Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko. In the Polish part of the same press conference, she hit out at a reporter for a bizarre question about “weaving beads” in her hair.
Iga Świątek’s 2025 US Open Campaign
Świątek was one of the favorites to win her second US Open title this year, having won Wimbledon by crushing Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final. After her success in Cincinnati, the 24-year-old was back to work in New York just a day later.
The six-time Grand Slam champion’s mixed-doubles runner-up finish was followed by a quick victory against Emiliana Arango in the first round of singles, where she dropped just three games.
She survived a three-set scare from Suzan Lamens in the second round and produced convincing victories against 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya and 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova to reach her second consecutive quarterfinal and third overall. At this stage she was knocked out by Anisimova 6-4, 6-3.
