Unlike Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek Refuses to Succumb to Online Hate as She Reveals the Perfect Way to Deal With Naysayers
“Unfortunately, many people don’t realize what the life of an athlete is like.” Dealing with social media can be a nuisance. Especially when fans offer their unsolicited opinions to simply pour negativity. Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are two such players who are often victims of such online harassment. While the tennis stars have earned respect within the sporting community with their laudable achievements, an occasion loss in their momentum turns the subject into a flip-sided affair. But, how do they deal with such comments? Surprisingly, in contrast to Gauff, Swiatek resorts to a very different approach.
On Sunday, August 11, Swiatek sat down for an exclusive interview with WP SportoweFakty. Following her Paris Olympics campaign, wherein she fetched a bronze medal, the Polish star was asked how she deals with a love-hate relationship with fan comments. The World No. 1 explained that it’s a two-way street. While some fans offer her support even when she’s at her lowest, some spread negativity even when she has garnered glory. The latest of which came after her disheartening semifinal loss at the hands of China’s Qinwen Zheng at Olympic Games.
As an attempt to cut herself off from outside world during tournaments, Swiatek typically limits her online presence during tournaments. Her online activity is primarily confined to posting after matches. She consciously avoids reading comments during these intense periods. “I don’t feel like answering or explaining, because I realize that a lot of people support me and I wouldn’t be able to explain everything. I simply accept that such things are a part of my life.”
The Pole acknowledges a common misconception about the life of an athlete. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining emotional distance from such opinions, as they often lack understanding of the athlete’s experience. Unfortunately, she notes a tendency for people to make hasty judgments. However, once a tournament concludes, she often catches up on online discussions to stay informed about public opinion. “Very often, I receive very positive messages. This was the case right after my defeat in the semi-final in Paris, when messages of support from fans and friends, and even from other athletes, helped me a lot.”
Exactly one year ago, the World No. 1 opened up about the toxic online environment after her hard-fought victory over Zheng at the Western & Southern Open. She expressed frustration over the relentless hate messages directed at both herself and her coaching team, despite a successful comeback win. Swiatek questioned the unrealistic expectations placed on athletes, highlighting the stark contrast between the negativity online and the positive outcome of the match.
For those unaware, last year, American talent Gauff took significant measures to deal with online harassment. Notably, the World No. 2 went on a social media blocking spree after witnessing a string of negative comments after she was overpowered by the Pole at the 2023 WTA Finals. Later, she posted a candid admission outlining her reasoning behind such extreme measures saying,
“I only block people who are negative, not my fans. When you deal with the daily harassment I deal with every single day. Death threats, racism, body shaming. etc. It is exhausting. So I try my best to spare myself.”
However, Gauff is in no mood to let such comments affect her ambitions. After a heartbreaking conclusion to her Olympics campaign, the American, once again, aims to participate in 2028 LA Olympics! This time for a “full effect”!
One would think Gauff’s premature end to her Olympic debut would quash her gold medal ambitions. However, the American has stepped in to tell everyone otherwise. The 20-year-old plans to sign up for all three categories at the 2028 edition of the Games, despite failing to secure a medal while participating in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles contests in Paris this year.
She said, “I didn’t really experience a full effect so like kind of lost earlier in singles so at that point I think I was I didn’t even double up yet so I would still do all three again if that’s a possibility in 28, I mean it’s four years from now.”
Following an early exit at the Olympics, the reigning US Open champion hasn’t stumbled upon noteworthy success on the Tour either. An out-of-form Gauff was flushed out of the Canadian Open before she could make her mark. Now, she hopes to reverse her fortune by prepping for the Cincinnati Open and with it, aims for a successful title defense at the Flushing Meadows Slam.
