[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [SPORTS]

4 clusters · 20 sources · 54 days · First seen · Last updated

Świątek mental coaching controversy escalates

Overview

The dispute over sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz’s role in Iga Świątek’s mental preparation, which began in early July, grew sharper after Polish psychologist Ewa Woydyłło appeared on the Trzeci Serwis “Return” podcast in early August. Woydyłło called Świątek “probably stupid, scared” and suggested Abramowicz was present mainly for money. The episode was quickly removed from YouTube and the producers issued an apology, acknowledging their own responsibility for the content.

Prominent voices—including journalist Monika Olejnik, former minister (now Warsaw mayor) Bogdan Zdrojewski, former skier Justyna Kowalczyk‑Tekieli, psychologist Dorota Zawadzka and journalist Jacek Holub—condemned the remarks as hateful, unprofessional and lacking empathy. Mayor Zdrojewski specifically defended Świątek, emphasizing that elite sport requires both physical and mental preparation.

In late August, Woydyłło-Osiatyńska expressed regret regarding her comments during an interview on the program ‘Świat Gwiazd’. She stated that she regrets participating in the podcast, suggesting that the final edit of the two-hour conversation selectively used unfavorable fragments. She had previously suggested the athlete might have lost her passion for tennis following years of success.

Amid the controversy, Świątek returned to competition at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto, defeating Sara Bejlek 6‑0, 6‑3. The episode reinforced public debate in Poland about the limits of commentary on athletes’ mental health and the appropriate role of psychological support for elite sportspersons.

Entities

Iga Świątek · Daria Abramowicz · Bogdan Zdrojewski · Lech Sidor · Jacek Holub

Timeline

  1. 24 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Ewa Woydyłło regrets controversial comments about Iga Świątek

    Psychologist Ewa Woydyłło-Osiatyńska has apologized and expressed regret for controversial remarks made about tennis star Iga Świątek during a podcast, citing selective editing of the conversation.

  2. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Iga Swiatek receives mayoral backing after psychologist’s derogatory remarks

    Psychologist Ewa Woydyło called Iga Swiatek “stupid and scared,” prompting backlash and public defense from Warsaw mayor Bogdan Zdrojewski and criticism from journalist Jacek Holub.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 15 sources
    Ewa Woydyłło's comments on Iga Świątek trigger media uproar and podcast removal

    Ewa Woydyłło's critical remarks about Iga Świątek led to a podcast removal, public apologies, and widespread media backlash in Poland.

  4. 3 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Iga Świątek's mental coach Daria Abramowicz criticized for over‑involvement

    Critics, including commentator Lech Sidor, say Daria Abramowicz’s close, year‑long involvement with Iga Świątek breaches sports‑psychology norms and may reflect sexist backlash.

Sources

andromedas.co.uk · dorzeczy.pl · dziennik-polityczny.com · essentiallysports.com · kobieta.onet.pl · kobieta.wp.pl · kozaczek.pl · moj.powiat.pl · plejada.pl · plotek.pl · polityka.pl · press.pl · pressfreedomtracker.us · razydzisiaj.pl · sport.interia.pl · sportsup.se · swiatgwiazd.pl · tenis.net.pl · thecarleton.ca · vlasy.cz

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history