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Świątek mental coaching controversy escalates

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2026-08-05 18:53 UTC → 2026-08-28 21:16 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~The backlash dominated Polish media coverage.~~ 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.

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