Iga Świątek was so livid about US Open fatigue question

By any measure, world No. 2 Iga Świątek wasn’t her best self during Wednesday’s US Open quarterfinal match.

In a rematch of this year’s historic double bagel Wimbledon Final victory for Świątek, Amanda Anisimova got revenge on the Polish star by simply overwhelming her at times. From start to finish, it was evident Anisimova had entered the match on a mission for redemption. She wasn’t going to let up on Świątek. At all.

Nonetheless, it didn’t explain how Świątek still wasn’t at her sharpest. Her serve consistently left something to be desired. More than once, for a player known for their ability to glide all over the court, she misjudged the trajectory of a basic return. Her body language and demeanor reeked of frustration.

She was just … off.

We’ve seen it happen so many times in tennis, usually without a logical explanation. If a player loses their rhythm, their focus, or both, it’s curtains, especially when you’re squaring off against someone playing as well as Anisimova in their match. Almost always. There’s nothing more to it.

That wasn’t everyone’s theory about why Świątek fell short of the US Open title, though.

During her post-match press conference, a reporter intimated that Świątek might have been suffering from fatigue. Which would say why she lost in straight sets to Anisimova, right? It’s a fair line of questioning for an athlete, no?

Well, at least, that’s how Świątek, a world-class athlete who holds herself to a high standard like any elite performer, perceived the framing of the question. No one wants to admit they’re tired when every top player more or less has to deal with the same obstacles. To some, it’s a sign of weakness for competitors at this level of tennis. And anyone with the requisite expertise in any athletic reporting, not only tennis, will understand how that sort of question would come off in that specific moment. Still, they should ask because it’s valid logic.

What ensued was a surprisingly testy exchange:

Iga Swiatek’s response to being asked if she needs a mental break after loss to Anisimova at U.S. Open

Iga: “Do you need a mental break?”

“Sorry?”

Iga: “You look like you need a mental break.”

“I do yeah.”

Iga: “Then what are you doing here?” 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/p8Yfxrv755

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 3, 2025

Here’s a transcript of the conversation between Świątek and the reporter in question:

REPORTER: Just generally, 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?IGA ŚWIĄTEK: Well, I don’t know. It’s not like my matches were exhausting here.

REPORTER: Do you feel like a mental break? I’m not talking about the loss as such.IGA ŚWIĄTEK: Why would you say that?

REPORTER: I just wondered. It’s just a lot in a row. Do you look forward to a break?IGA ŚWIĄTEK: Well, talk to people responsible for the schedule. Do you need mental break?

REPORTER: Sorry?

IGA ŚWIĄTEK: You look like you need mental break.

REPORTER: I do, yeah.IGA ŚWIĄTEK: Well, then what are you doing here?

REPORTER:Got to get to the end of the tournament.IGA ŚWIĄTEK: Good luck.

I must admit that I’m unsure about something. Given the way Świątek balks at the mere suggestion of being tired with all the tennis she’s played this summer, I’m inclined to believe that she really was exhausted. You have to think that a general state of fatigue had to build up gradually over time. With this being the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, it was inevitable. By that same token, all of her peers are probably tired, too, including everyone left in the US Open. Everyone is enduring the same grueling schedule, filled with road trips, practice, and so many matches, all stacked on top of one another.

It’s hard for everyone.

It’s not against the rules to show vulnerability and admit the truth. But it’s just as easy to use as an excuse, too. Świątek chose neither path and, in a tense back-and-forth, probably showed her hand anyway. Hey, that also happens.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Iga Świątek berated US Open reporter for “mental break” question