Iga Swiatek is out of the US Open after Amanda Anisimova, who she thrashed 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon final, got revenge at Flushing Meadows and booked her spot in the last four
A spiky Iga Swiatek was embroiled in a frosty exchange with a reporter following her US Open defeat, hitting back at suggestions that she needs ‘mental health break’. Swiatek, 24, was beaten in her quarter-final clash with Amanda Anisimova, who she’d whitewashed in this year’s Wimbledon final.
But Anisimova got a taste of revenge, as the American won 6-4, 6-3 to book her place in the semi-finals. Swiatek’s loss led to another tense press conference, having bizarrely been asked if she’d consider wearing beads in her hair earlier in the tournament. On Wednesday, after losing to Anisimova, she was asked by a journalist: « It’s been a lot of tennis the last few weeks: Wimbledon, the American tournaments leading up to this, and now this. How tired are you at the moment? »
Swiatek gave a blunt response, saying: « Well, I don’t know. It’s not like my matches were exhausting here. »
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The reporter followed up by asking the Polish star if she feels as though she needs a mental health break, something which has become increasingly common in tennis. « Why would you say that? » Swiatek fired back.
The reporter explained: « I just wondered. It’s just a lot in a row. Do you look forward to a break? »
Swiatek turned the tables on him, replying: « Well, talk to people responsible for the schedule. Do you need mental break?’
« Sorry?’ the bemused journalist asked. « You look like you need mental break, » Swiatek claimed.
« I do, yeah » he agreed, before the 24-year-old asked: « Well, what are you doing here? »
« I’ve got to get to the end of the tournament, » the reporter replied. « Good luck, » Swiatek flatly said before fielding other questions.
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The world No.2 has indeed been through an action-packed 2025. Prior to going all the way at Wimbledon, Swiatek made it to the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open.
Swiatek also reached the final of the mixed doubles at the US Open, partnering Casper Ruud, but the pair lost to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. It doesn’t sound like she’ll be taking a break soon, though.
Her opponent in New York, Anisimova, went on an eight-month hiatus in 2023, citing her ‘mental health and burnout’. Anisimova will now play Naomi Osaka in a semi-final match on Friday, the winner of which will take on either world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka or Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s final.
« Today was definitely different than any other match I’ve played because of the circumstances, » Anisimova explained post-match. « I really tried to prepare myself mentally over the last 24 hours, more than physically.
« I came out there with not an ounce of fear. I was constantly moving and trying to pump myself up, which is not something I usually do. I felt like I was really supporting myself, and that helped me play better. »
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